1 Kings 1:2 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

וַ יֹּ֧אמְרוּ

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

יֹּ֧אמְרוּ

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqw3mp

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

וַ	Speech Conjunction
יֹּאמְרוּ	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: said

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

Word Parts

ל ֣וֹ

ל

Preposition to, for

֣וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp3ms

Preposition

ל	Speech Preposition
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

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Word Parts

עֲבָדָ֗י ו

עֲבָדָ֗י

Root word servants, servant, bondmen, manservant, bondage, …

ו

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: עֶבֶד · eh-BED

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpc/Sp3ms

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

עֲבָדָי	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct
ו	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: wherefore his servants

thy servant ×90 his servants ×68 thy servants ×56 servants ×53 my servant ×40 the servant ×40 his servant ×30 and his servants ×22

More options

servant — Broadest, most neutral choice for most contexts.

slave — Emphasizes legal ownership; use when bondage is explicit.

attendant — Highlights personal service to a superior; courtly contexts.

subject — Good for political/royal contexts; stresses subordination.

worker — Downplays social status; use cautiously, may be too weak.

bondservant — Retains covenantal nuance; useful in theological passages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5735 H5650

I. עֶ֫בֶד₇₉₉ noun masculine slave, servant (on formation Lag^{BN 77}); — ׳ע Gen 9:25 +, עָ֑בֶד Gen 44:10 +; suffix עַבְדִּי Gen 26:24 +; עַבְדְּךָ Gen 19:19 +; עַבְדֶּ֫ךָ Gen 18:3 +; plural עֲבָדִים Gen 9:25 +, עַבְדֵי Gen 21:25 +, suffix עֲבָדַי Lev 25:42 +, עַבְדֵיכֶם Josh 9:11 +, etc.; —

1. slave, servant of household Gen 39:17; Gen 39:19; Gen 41:12; Gen 50:2; Exod 21:2 +; man-servant, || אמה Exod 20:10; Lev 25:6; Deut 5:14; Job 31:13 +; || שׁפחה Gen 12:16; Gen 32:6; Jer 34:11; Isa 14:2 +; + אדון Deut 23:16; Isa 24:2; Mal 1:6 +; מִקְנַת כֶּסֶף Exod 12:44 or יְלִיד בַּיִת Jer 2:14 עֶבֶד עֲבָדִים servant of servants, humblest servant, Gen 9:25 בֵּית עֲבָדִים house of slaves, especially Israel in Egypt Exod 13:3; Exod 13:14 (D ?) Deut 5:6; Deut 6:12; Deut 7:8; Deut 8:14; Deut 13:6; Deut 13:11; Josh 24:17; Judg 6:8; Jer 34:13; Mic 6:4 וזכרת כי עבד היית מצרים ב(ארץׅ and thou shalt remember that thou wast a slave in (the land of) Egypt Deut 5:15; Deut 15:15; Deut 16:12; Deut 24:18; Deut 24:22 king of Babylon is slave to ׳י Jer 25:9; Jer 27:6; Jer 43:10 the borrower to the lender Prov 22:7 figurative of beast Job 40:28 of things Gen 47:19.

2. Subjects, of chief Gen 26:15; Gen 26:19; Gen 26:25; Gen 26:32; Gen 27:37; Gen 32:17 (twice in verse) +; of king Gen 21:25; Exod 7:28; Exod 7:29; 1Kgs 9:27; Deut 29:1 +; vassal kings 2Sam 10:19 tributary nations 2Sam 8:2; 2Sam 8:6; 2Sam 8:14 = 1Chr 18:2; 1Chr 18:6; 1Chr 18:13 specifically officers of king 1Sam 19:1; 1Sam 21:8; 2Sam 11:13; Prov 14:35 +; עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה Gen 40:20; Gen 41:10 שָׁאוּל ׳ע 1Sam 16:17; 1Sam 18:22; 1Sam 28:7 הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳ע 1Kgs 1:47; Esth 3:3 +; עֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 22:12 = 2Chr 34:20 (a court offical); opposed to שַׂר Prov 19:10; Eccl 10:7 מֶלֶךְ Prov 30:22 ambassadors Num 22:18; 2Sam 10:2 soldiers of army 1Sam 17:8; 1Sam 25:10; 2Sam 2:12, + officers of army 1Sam 29:3; 1Kgs 11:26; 2Kgs 25:8; Isa 36:9.

3. Servants, worshippers, of God: עַבְדֵי יהוה 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 10:23; Isa 54:17, compare Gen 50:17; Isa 56:6 עֲבָדָיו Deut 32:36 = Ps 135:14; Isa 65:15; Isa 66:14; Ps 34:23; Ps 69:37; Neh 2:20 || עַמּוֺ Ps 105:25 compare Deut 32:43 עֲבָּדַי Isa 65:8; Isa 65:9; Isa 65:13 (twice in verse); Isa 69:13; Isa 69:14 עֲבָדֶיךָ 1Kgs 8:23; Isa 63:17 (|| שִׁבְטֵי נחלתך), Ps 89:51; Ps 90:13; Ps 90:16; Ps 102:15; Ps 102:29; Ps 119:91; Ps 79:2; Ps 79:10 (|| חֲסִידֶיךָ); delivered from Egypt Lev 25:42; Lev 25:55 (twice in verse); Lev 26:13 (P); עַבְדְּךָ Ps 119:125; Ps 143:2, || בֶּןאֲֿמָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 86:16; Ps 116:16 (twice in verse); specifically angels Job 4:18 and ancient worthies, patriarchs Exod 32:13 (J) Deut 9:27 Abraham Gen 26:24 (J) Ps 105:6; Ps 105:42 Isaac Gen 24:14 (J); Jacob, Israel Ezek 28:25; Ezek 37:25; 1Chr 16:13 Moses Exod 14:31; Josh 18:7 (J) Num 12:7; Num 12:8 (E) Deut 34:5 (?) Josh 1:1; Josh 1:2; Josh 1:7; Josh 1:13; Josh 1:15; Josh 8:31; Josh 8:33; Josh 9:24; Josh 11:12; Josh 11:15; Josh 12:6 (twice in verse); Josh 13:8; Josh 14:7; Josh 22:2; Josh 22:4; Josh 22:5 (all D), 1Kgs 8:53; 1Kgs 8:56; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Kgs 21:8; 1Chr 6:34; 2Chr 1:3; 2Chr 24:6; 2Chr 24:9; Neh 1:8; Neh 9:14; Neh 10:30; Ps 105:26; Mal 3:22; Dan 9:11 Joshua Josh 24:29 (E) Judg 2:8 Caleb Num 14:24 (J); Job Job 1:8; Job 2:3; Job 42:7; Job 42:8 (3 t. in verse); David 2Sam 3:18; 2Sam 7:5; 2Sam 7:8; 2Sam 7:26 + 27 t.; Hezekiah 2Chr 32:16 Zerubbabel Hag 2:23 Eliakim Isa 22:20. — The צֶמַח Zech 3:8 compare Zech 6:12 is also servant of ׳י as Messianic builder of temple (see Br^{MP 442 ff}).

4. Servant of ׳י, in a special sense: of Levitical singers using benedictions in temple Ps 113:1; Ps 134:1; Ps 135:1 usually of prophets, עֲבָדַי הַנְּבִיאִים my servants the prophets 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 17:13; Jer 7:25; Jer 26:5; Jer 29:19; Jer 35:15; Jer 44:4; Ezek 38:17; Zech 1:6 עֲבָדָיו הַנְּבִיאִים 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 21:10; 2Kgs 24:2; Jer 25:4; Amos 3:7; Dan 9:10 עֲבָדֶיךָ הנביאים Ezra 9:11; Dan 9:6 specifically Ahia 1Kgs 14:18; 1Kgs 15:29 Elijah 2Kgs 9:36; 2Kgs 10:10 Jonah 2Kgs 14:25 Isaiah Isa 20:3 עַבְדּוֺ, || מלאכיו Isa 44:26 as one calling to fear ׳י Isa 50:10.

5. Israel as a people is servant of ׳׃י יִשְׂרָאֵל Isa 41:8; Isa 41:9; Isa 44:21 (twice in verse); Isa 49:3; Ps 136:22 יעקב Isa 44:1; Isa 44:2; Isa 45:4; Isa 48:20; Isa 46:27; Isa 47:28 עַבְדִּי = עֶבֶד יהוה, || מַלְאָכִי, as having a mission to the nations Isa 42:19 (twice in verse); and chosen as witness of ׳י Isa 43:10. But there is also an ideal servant chosen and endowed with the divine Spirit to be a covenant of Israel and a light of the nations Isa 42:1 (compare vIsa 42:2-6); formed to bring back Jacob, raise up the tribes, and become salvation to the end of the earth Isa 49:5; Isa 49:6; Isa 49:7 bearing the sins of all as a lamb and a trespass-offering, and yet prospering and justifying many as interposing martyr Isa 52:13; Isa 53:11: many understand of ideal Israel, contrasted with the actual; al. of personified || with Zion the wife and mother, distinguished from unworthy Israel as Zion from her apostate children; al. of ideal prophetic writer; al. of ideal prophetic person; al. (especially in Isa 53) of an actual prophecy known to writer and his readers; [in any case it is Messianic, see Matt 8:16; Matt 8:17; Matt 12:16-21; Luke 4:17-22; Phil 2:5-11]; see De^{Isa ii. 174} Da^{Expos. 1884, 358 ff.} Di Du Che and others on Isa 42; Isa 53, Dr^{Is 168 ff.} Br^{MP 345 ff.}, also Gie^{Beitr. 146 ff.} Berthol^{Isa 53}.

6. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 person singular, I, Gen 18:3; 1Sam 20:7; 1Sam 20:8 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 8:13 +; עֲבָדֶיךָ thy servants = we Gen 42:11; Isa 36:11 also עַבְדּוֺ his servant = I, 1Sam 26:18; 1Sam 26:19; 2Sam 14:22; 2Sam 24:21 +; also in addressing God, especially in prayer Exod 4:10; Num 11:11; Judg 15:18; 1Sam 3:9; 1Sam 3:10; 1Sam 25:39; 2Sam 24:10; Ps 19:12; Ps 19:14; Ps 27:9; Ps 31:17; Ps 35:27; Ps 69:18; Ps 109:28; Ps 143:2 +.

7. Phrases are: עבד (היה), with לְ person, become servant to Gen 9:26; Gen 9:27; Gen 44:10; Gen 44:16; Gen 44:17; Gen 44:33; Gen 47:19; Gen 47:26 (J) Deut 6:21; Deut 15:17; 2Sam 8:14; 2Kgs 17:3; 2Kgs 24:1; 1Chr 18:2; 1Chr 18:6; 1Chr 18:13; 2Chr 10:7; Prov 11:29; Prov 12:9; Prov 22:7 היה לעבד, with לְ person, Gen 44:9 (J) Gen 50:18 (E) 1Sam 8:17; 1Sam 17:9 (twice in verse); 1Sam 27:12; 2Sam 8:2; 2Sam 8:6; Jer 34:16 כבשׁ לעבדים 2Chr 28:10; Neh 5:5; Jer 34:11 ׳לקח לע Gen 43:18 (J) 2Kgs 4:1; Job 40:28.

BDB9746 H5649 H5650

[עֲבַד D^p.105, or עֲבֵד K^{§ 54, 3.} γ)] noun masculine slave, servant (Biblical Hebrew עֶ֫בֶד); — construct עֲבֵד Dan 6:21 servant of God; plural suffix of king, עבדיך Kt (K^{§ 53 Anm. b})), עַבְדָּךְ Qr Ezra 4:11, עַבְדָךְ Qr Dan 2:4 suffix of God, עַבְד֫וֺתִי, Dan 3:26; Dan 3:28; Ezra 5:11, of king Dan 2:7.

Strong's Definition H5650

servants, servant, bondmen, manservant, bondage, …

ʿebed

a servant

slave, servant

slave, servant, man-servant

Variations 91 forms of this word

Translations 176 English renderings

Servant

Search every verse

Word Parts

יְבַקְשׁ֞וּ

Root word seek, sought, seeketh, require, seekest, …

Dictionary form: בָּקַשׁ · baw-KAHSH

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vpi3mp

Verb — Piel, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

יְבַקְשׁוּ

Speech Verb Stem Piel Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: unto him let there be sought

to seek ×20 seek ×19 sought ×18 seeketh ×13 and seek ×7 that seek ×7 of them that seek ×6 and sought ×5

More options

seek — Modernized KJV; broad, natural fit for most contexts.

look for — Colloquial; suits narrative and everyday prose well.

search for — Implies active, deliberate effort or urgency.

pursue — Conveys determined, ongoing striving toward a goal.

request — Prefer when the seeking involves asking another person.

desire — Best when the focus is on longing rather than active search.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1296 H1245

[בָּקַשׁ]₂₂₄ verb seek (Phoenician בקש) —

Pi`el Perfect בִּקֵּשׁ Deut 13:11 + 15 t.; בִּקְשָׁה Eccl 7:28; Esth 2:15 suffix בִּקְשָׁתַם Hos 2:9 בִּקַּשְׁתִּיו Song 3:1; Song 3:2 compare Song 5:6 בִּקְשׁוּ Ezra 2:62 + 12 t.; suffix בִּקְשֻׁנִי Isa 65:1 + 2 t.; Imperfect יְבַקֵשׁ Josh 22:23 + 37 t.; יְבַקֶּשֿׁ Prov 15:14 + 2 t.; אֲבַקְשָׁה Ps 122:9 + 3 t.; suffix יְבַקְשֵׁהוּ 1Sam 23:14 + 7 t.; יְבַקְשׁוּ 1Sam 16:16 + 23 t.; Imperative בַקֵּשׁ 1Sam 9:3 + 3 t.; בַּקְּשׁוּ 1Sam 28:7 + 8 t.; Infinitive לְבַקֵּשׁ 1Sam 10:2 + 29 t.; Participle מְבַקֵּשׁ Gen 37:16 + 23 t.; plural מְבַקְשִׁים Exod 10:11 + 38 t.; —

1. seek to find:
a. absolute Judg 6:29; 2Kgs 2:17; Jer 5:1; Ezek 34:6; Eccl 3:6; Eccl 8:17 (yet see Ew).
b. accusative Gen 37:15; Gen 37:16; Josh 2:22 (J) Judg 4:22; Judg 14:4; 1Sam 9:3; 1Sam 10:2; 1Sam 10:14; 1Sam 10:21; 1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 23:14; 1Sam 23:25; 1Sam 24:3; 1Sam 26:2; 1Sam 27:1; 1Sam 27:4 + 1Sam 26:20 object a flea, but read נַפְשִׁי ᵐ5 Th We Kirkp Klo Dr; 2Sam 17:3; 2Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 1:3; 1Kgs 2:40; 1Kgs 18:10; 2Kgs 2:16; 2Kgs 6:19; 1Chr 4:39; 2Chr 22:9; Ezra 2:62 (= Neh 7:64) Neh 12:27; Ps 37:25; Ps 37:36; Ps 119:176; Prov 2:4; Prov 21:6; Prov 23:35; Prov 7:28; Song 3:1 (twice in verse); Song 3:2 (twice in verse); Song 5:6; Song 6:1; Isa 41:12; Isa 41:17; Jer 2:24; Jer 2:33; Lam 1:11; Ezek 7:25; Ezek 22:30; Ezek 34:4; Ezek 34:16; Hos 2:9; Nah 3:11; Zech 11:16; Mal 2:15.
c. with לְ Job 10:6.
d. accusative of thing לְ person Judg 18:1; 1Sam 13:14; 1Sam 28:7; 1Kgs 1:2; Ruth 3:1; Esth 2:2; Ps 122:9; Isa 40:20; Lam 1:19; Nah 3:7.

2. seek to secure:
a. accusative the priesthood Num 16:10 (P); David for king 2Sam 3:17 in battle 2Sam 5:17 (= 1Chr 14:8); Ps 27:4; Jer 45:5 (compare vJer 45:5); בקשׁ נפשׁ seek to take one's life Exod 4:19 (J) 1Sam 20:1; 1Sam 22:23 (twice in verse); 1Sam 23:15; 1Sam 25:29; 2Sam 4:8; 2Sam 16:11; 1Kgs 19:10; 1Kgs 19:14; Ps 35:4; Ps 38:13; Ps 40:15; Ps 54:5; Ps 63:10; Ps 70:3; Ps 86:14; Prov 29:10; Jer 4:30; Jer 11:21; Jer 19:7; Jer 19:9; Jer 21:7; Jer 22:25; Jer 34:20; Jer 34:21; Jer 38:16; Jer 44:30 (twice in verse); Jer 46:26; Jer 49:37.
b. aim at, practise: בקשׁ רעה seek hurt of Num 35:23 (P) 1Sam 24:10; 1Sam 25:26 (אֶל) 1Kgs 20:7; Ps 71:13; Ps 71:24; Esth 9:2 כזב ׳ב Ps 4:3 compare Prov 17:11, שׁבר Prov 17:19, רצון Prov 11:27, טובה Neh 2:10, אמונה Jer 5:1, צדק, ענוה Zeph 2:3 (twice in verse) שׁלום Ps 34:15, חכמה Prov 14:6; Eccl 7:25, בינה Dan 8:15, דעת Prov 15:14; Prov 18:15, תורה Mal 2:7, אהבה Prov 17:9, תאוה Prov 18:1 (ל of direct object), חשׁבנות Eccl 7:29.
c. Infinitive Exod 4:24 (J) Jer 26:21.
d. לְ & Infinitive Gen 43:30; Exod 2:15; Exod 10:11 (JE) Deut 13:11; 1Sam 14:4; 1Sam 19:2; 1Sam 19:10; 1Sam 23:10; 2Sam 20:19; 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 11:22; 1Kgs 11:40; Esth 2:21; Esth 3:6; Esth 6:2; Ps 37:22; Eccl 12:10; Zech 6:7; Zech 12:9.

3. seek the face
a. of rulers 1Kgs 10:24 (= 2Chr 9:23) Prov 29:26.
b. of God (from resorting to sacred places) Hos 5:15; 1Chr 16:11 (= Ps 105:4) 2Chr 7:14; 2Sam 21:1; Ps 24:6; Ps 27:8 (twice in verse); without פְּנֵי
c. יהוה Deut 4:29; Zeph 1:6; Zeph 2:3; Hos 3:5; Hos 3:5; Hos 5:6; Exod 33:7 (J) 1Chr 16:10 (= Ps 105:3) 2Chr 11:16; 2Chr 20:4; Isa 51:1; Prov 28:5; Zech 8:21; Zech 8:22; Jer 50:4 אלהים 2Sam 12:16, compare Ezek 8:22; Isa 45:19; Isa 65:1; 2Chr 15:4; 2Chr 15:15; Hos 7:10; Jer 29:13; Mal 3:1; Ps 40:17; Ps 70:5; Ps 69:7; Dan 9:3 ׳דבר י Amos 8:12 שׁמך Ps 83:17.
d. followed by Infinitive with לְ, of resort to wizards, but object not expressed Lev 19:34 (H).

4. desire, demand:
a. accusative 1Chr 21:3.
b. accusative of thing מִן person Ezek 7:26; Dan 1:20.

5. a. require, exact, accusative of thing מִיַּד person Isa 1:12 מִן person Neh 5:12, accusative of thing vNeh 5:18.
b. exact equivalent or penalty for, accusative of thing, מִיַּד person Gen 31:39; Gen 43:9 (JE) 1Sam 20:16; 2Sam 4:11; Ezek 3:18; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 33:8, compare דרשׁ; no object expressed Josh 22:23 (P).

6. (late) ask, request, accusative of thing Esth 2:15 עַל of thing Neh 2:4 עַל of thing מִן person Esth 7:7; Ezra 8:23 עַל of thing מִלִּפְנֵי person Esth 4:8 accusative of thing מִן person Dan 1:8 (object clause with אשׁר), Ps 104:21 מִן person 2Chr 20:4. Pu`al Imperfect יְבֻקַּשׁ Jer 50:20, ׳וַיְב Esth 2:23 תֲּבֻקְשִׁי Ezek 26:21 be sought.

Strong's Definition H1245

seek, sought, seeketh, require, seekest, …

bāqaš

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

to seek, require, desire, exact, request

(Piel)

to seek to find

Variations 77 forms of this word

Translations 111 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לַ ֽאדֹנִ ֤י

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for

ֽאדֹנִ

Root word a name — transliterate it ("For my lord")

֤י

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: אָדוֹן · aw-DONE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsc/Sp1cs

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

לַ	Speech Preposition
אדֹנִ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
י	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person First Person Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: for my lord

my lord ×100 his master ×20 my master ×17 of my lord ×15 the lord ×9 let my lord ×6 our lord ×6 thy lord ×6

More options

master — Best for household/servant relationships and ownership contexts.

lord — Modernized KJV form; suits formal or elevated contexts.

owner — Prefer when emphasizing legal possession of property or people.

sir — Polite address; fits direct speech with respectful tone.

ruler — Good when authority over a group or territory is in view.

supervisor — Contemporary workplace register; for employer-employee dynamics.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB125 H113 H136

אָדוֺן noun masculine^{Mal 3:1} lord (Phoenician אדן) — ׳א Ps 12:5 + construct אֲדוֺן Josh 3:11 +; plural אֲדֹנִים Isa 26:13 +; construct אֲדֹנֵי Deut 10:17 +; suffix אֲדֹנֵינוּ 1Sam 25:14 + etc.; (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Masoretic pointing to distinguish divine reference from human. Plural, with few except an intensive plural of rank; word takes suffix as plural in all other person; so doubtless here. Orig. reading probably in all cases אֲדֹנַי (see Dalm^{Der Gottesname Adonaj}; Lag^{BN 188 makes} אֲדֹנָי an Aramaic formative); אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.; in E Gen 31:35; Gen 32:19; Gen 42:10; Exod 21:5 in P Gen 23:6; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:15; Num 36:2 (twice in verse); often Samuel & Kings; in Chronicles only in sources, 1Chr 21:3 (3 t. in verse); 1Chr 21:23 (= 2Sam 24:3; 2Sam 24:22) 2Chr 2:13; 2Chr 2:14 Isaiah & Jeremiah only in historical parts Isa 36:8; Isa 36:9; Isa 36:12; Jer 37:20; Jer 38:9 elsewhere Dan 1:10; Dan 10:16; Dan 10:17; Dan 10:19; Dan 12:8; Zech 1:9; Zech 4:4; Zech 4:5; Zech 4:13; Zech 6:4; Ps 110:1; Judg 4:18; Judg 6:13; Ruth 2:13 בִּי אֲדנָי Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Josh 7:8 (J) Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 is referred to God, but בִּי אֲדנִי Gen 43:20; Gen 44:18; Num 12:11 (J) 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 25:24; 1Kgs 3:17; 1Kgs 3:26 reference to human superiors. There is uncertainty as to אֲדֹנָ֯י Gen 18:3; Gen 19:18 אֲדֹ֯נַי Gen 19:2) —

1. singular lord, master (1) reference to men:
(a) superintendent of household, or of affairs Gen 45:8; Gen 45:9 (E) = Ps 105:21
(b) master Ps 12:5
(c) king Jer 22:18; Jer 34:5 (2) reference to God, הָאָדוֺן יהוה the Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Exod 23:17; Exod 34:23 (Cov't codes); אֲרוֺן כָּלהָֿאָרֶץ Lord of the whole earth Josh 3:11; Josh 3:13 (J) Ps 97:5; Zech 4:14; Zech 6:5; Mic 4:13 צֻבָאוֺת ׳י ׳הָא, earlier Isa 1:24; Isa 3:1; Isa 10:33; Isa 19:4 (אֲדֹנָי Isa 10:16 in common MT; not Massora, doubtless scribal error); ׳הָא Mal 3:1 אָדוֺן Ps 114:7.

2. plural lords, kings Deut 10:17 = Ps 136:3; Isa 26:13 elsewhere intensive plural of rank, lord, master, (1) reference to men:
(a) proprietor of hill Samaria 1Kgs 16:24
(b) master Gen 40:7 (E) Exod 21:4 (twice in verse); Exod 21:6; Exod 21:8; Exod 21:32 (Cov't code) Gen 24:9 + (J, 11 t.) Deut 23:16; Judg 19:11; Judg 19:12 + 13 t. Samuel & Kings; Job 3:19; Ps 123:2; Prov 25:13; Prov 27:18; Prov 30:10; Isa 24:2; Amos 4:1; Zeph 1:9; Mal 1:6 (twice in verse);
(c) husband Judg 19:26; Judg 19:27; Ps 45:12
(d) prophet 2Kgs 2:3; 2Kgs 2:5; 2Kgs 2:16
(e) governor Neh 3:5
(f) prince Gen 42:10; Gen 42:30; Gen 42:33 (E) Gen 44:8 (J) 1Sam 29:10
(g) king Gen 40:1 (E) Judg 3:25 + 40 t. Samuel & Kings; Chronicles only in sources 1Chr 12:19 compare 1Sam 29:4; 2Chr 13:6; 2Chr 18:16 = 1Kgs 22:17; Isa 19:4; Isa 22:18; Isa 36:12; Isa 37:4; Isa 37:6; Jer 27:4 (2) reference to God Mal 1:6 אֲדֹנֵי הָאֲדֹנִים Lord of lords Deut 10:17 = Ps 136:3 אֲדֹנֵינוּ Ps 135:5; Ps 147:5; Neh 8:10 אֲדֹנֵינוּ ׳י Ps 8:2; Ps 8:10; Neh 10:30 ׳אֲדֹנַיִח י Isa 51:22 (probably = thy husband, Yahweh); אֲדֹנָיו Hos 12:15 (possibly error for אֲדֹנָי).

3. suffix 1 singular (אֲדֹנַי) אֲדֹנִי (1) reference to men: my lord, my master, (a) master Exod 21:5 (Cov't code) Gen 24:12 +, Gen 44:5 (J, 20 t.) 1Sam 30:13; 1Sam 30:15; 2Kgs 5:3; 2Kgs 5:20; 2Kgs 5:22; 2Kgs 6:15
(b) husband Gen 18:12 (J);
(c) prophet 1Kgs 18:7; 1Kgs 18:13; 2Kgs 2:19; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:28; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 8:5
(d) prince Gen 42:10 (E), Gen 23:6; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:15 (P), Gen 43:20; Gen 44:18 +, Gen 47:18, + (J, 12 t.); Judg 4:18
(e) king 1Sam 22:12 + (Samuel & Kings 75 t.);
(f) father Gen 31:35 (E);
(g) Moses Exod 32:22; Num 11:28; Num 12:11; Num 32:26; Num 32:27 (J); Num 36:2 (twice in verse) (P);
(h) priest 1Sam 1:15; 1Sam 1:26 (twice in verse);
(i) theophanic angel Josh 5:14; Judg 6:13
(j) captain 2Sam 11:11
(k) general recognition of superiority Gen 24:18; Gen 32:5 + Gen 33:8 +; Gen 44:7 + (J, 13 t.), Ruth 2:13; 1Sam 25:24 + (15 t.); (2) reference to God: אֲדֹנָי
a. my Lord Gen 20:4 (? E) Exod 15:17 (Samaritan יהוה) elsewhere in Hexateuch, J; Gen 18:3(?); Gen 18:27; Gen 18:30; Gen 18:31; Gen 18:32; Gen 19:2; Gen 19:18(?) Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Exod 5:22; Exod 34:9; Num 14:17; Josh 7:8 also Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 not Samuel; 1Kgs 22:6; 2Kgs 19:23 not Chron. except memorials Ezra 10:3 (reference to Ezra) Neh 1:11; Neh 4:8 Wisdom Literature only Job 28:28 (doubtless scribal error for יהוֺה of many MSS.); not Hosea; Isa 37:24; Isa 38:14; Isa 38:16 (historical part); exile Isa 49:14 (compare Isa 51:22); Mic 1:2; Ps 16:2 + (47 t., chiefly this sense, except below
b.; compare אֱלֹהַי וַאדֹנָי my Lord and my God Ps 35:23 (writers that use אֱלֹהִים seldom use אֲדֹנָי);
b. Adonay proper name of God, parallel with Yahweh, substitution for it often by scribal error, & eventually supplanting it. In earlier Isa 3:17 + (19 t. seeming to belong here), Amos 7:7; Amos 7:8; Amos 9:1; Ezek 18:25; Ezek 18:29; Ezek 33:17; Ezek 33:20; Ezek 21:14 (probably ׳אֲדֹנָי י as in usual phrase); Zech 9:4; Mal 1:12; Mal 1:14; Lam 1:14 + (14 t.) Ps 2:4; Ps 37:13; Ps 78:65; Ps 90:17 (? יהוה) Ps 110:5 (Dalman puts most of these below
(a); — many cases are doubtful); 1Kgs 3:10; 1Kgs 3:15 (Masoretic אדני for יהוה compare Dalm 2Kgs 7:6 Dalm rightly questions; he reads יהוה). The phrases אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי Ps 38:16; Ps 86:12, Adonay my God; אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים Dan 9:3, אֱלֹהֵינוּ ׳א Dan 9:9; Dan 9:15, הָאֵל ׳א Dan 9:4 favour taking ׳א Dan 1:2; Dan 9:7; Dan 9:8 (יהוה ?) vDan 9:16 vDan 9:17 vDan 9:19 vDan 9:19 vDan 9:19 as the divine name.

4. אֲדֹנָי יהוה
(a) my Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Gen 15:2; Gen 15:8 (JE) Josh 7:7 (J, ᵐ5 omit ׳י) Deut 3:24; Deut 9:26; Judg 6:22; Judg 16:28; 2Sam 7:1 (6 t.) 1Kgs 2:26; 1Kgs 8:53 probably Amos 3:7; Amos 3:8; Amos 7:2; Amos 7:4; Amos 7:5; Amos 9:8; Jer 1:6; Jer 4:10; Jer 14:13; Jer 32:17; Jer 32:25; Ezek 4:14; Ezek 8:1; Ezek 9:6; Ezek 11:13; Ezek 20:49; Ezek 37:3 (׳יָדַע כִּי אֲני א ׳י) Ezek 13:9; Ezek 23:49; Ezek 24:24; Ezek 28:24; Ezek 29:16 inappropriate in mouth of God; strike out אֲדֹנָי (Co) or read אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳י (Dalm); Mic 1:2; Zeph 1:7; Obad 1:1; Zech 9:14; Ps 71:5; Ps 71:16; Ps 73:28
(b) apparently proper name Adonay Yahweh Isa 25:8; Jer 44:26 exile Isa 40:10 + (10 t., but Isa 61:1; Isa 61:11 read יהוה, ᵐ5);
(c) uncertain whether
(a) or
(b) in prophetic formula אָמַר ׳י ׳א Isa 7:7; Isa 28:16; Isa 30:15; Isa 49:22; Isa 51:4; Isa 65:13; Jer 7:20; Amos 1:8; Amos 3:11; Amos 5:3; Amos 7:6; Obad 1:1 Ezekiel (131 t.); ׳י ׳נְאֻם א Isa 56:8; Jer 2:22; Amos 3:13; Amos 4:5; Amos 8:3; Amos 8:9; Amos 8:11 Ezekiel (80 t.); ׳י ׳דְּבַראֿ Ezek 6:3; Ezek 25:3; Ezek 36:4 ׳י ׳נִשְׁבַּע א Amos 4:2; Amos 6:8 ׳י ׳כֹּה הִרְאַנִי א Amos 7:1; Amos 7:4; Amos 8:1.

5. יהוה אֲדֹנָי Yahweh my Lord Ps 68:21; Ps 109:21; Ps 140:8; Ps 141:8; Hab 3:9.

6. אֲדֹנָי יהוה צְבָאוֺת
(a) my Lord Yahweh ‚. (see צבאות) Ps 69:7; Amos 9:5; Isa 10:23; Isa 22:5; Isa 22:12; Isa 28:22 compare ׳אֱלֹהֵי הַצְבָאוֺת א ׳י, Yahweh, the God of Hosts my Lord Amos 5:16
(b) a divine name, Adonay, Yahweh ‚. Jer 46:10 (twice in verse); Jer 50:25
(c) uncertain are ׳צ ׳י ׳כֹּה אָמַר א Isa 10:24; Isa 22:14; Isa 22:15 ׳נְאֻם א ׳צ ׳י Isa 3:15; Jer 2:19; Jer 49:5; Jer 50:31.

Strong's Definition H113

lord, master, masters, lords, owner, …

ʾādôn

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

firm, strong, lord, master

lord, master

reference to men

superintendent of household, of affairs

the Lord God

reference to men

proprietor of hill of Samaria

Lord of lords

reference to men

master

my Lord, my Lord and my God

Variations 53 forms of this word

Translations 108 English renderings

Lord

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Word Parts

הַ מֶּ֙לֶךְ֙

הַ

Prefix — article the

מֶּ֙לֶךְ֙

Root word king, kings, royal

Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Td/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

הַ	Speech Particle Type Definite Article
מֶּלֶךְ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: the king

the king ×712 king ×501 and the king ×198 the kings ×192 of the kings ×104 of the king ×98 kings ×64 and king ×33

More options

king — Most natural modern equivalent; universally understood.

monarch — Formal register; suits literary or elevated prose.

ruler — Broader term; useful when royal rank is less central.

sovereign — Emphasizes supreme authority; good in legal or theological contexts.

royal — Adjectival use; fits compound nouns like 'royal court'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4669 H4428 H4429

I. מֶ֫לֶךְ₂₅₁₃ noun masculine king (Late Hebrew id.; MI^{1, 5, 10, 18, 23} מלך; Neh 1:4 המלכן; Phoenician מלך; Zinjirli מלך DHM^{Sendsch. 60}; Assyrian maliku, malku, prince (Assyrian šarru = king); Arabic king (original Hebrew *מַלִח inferred, Lag^{BN 73} Ba^{NB § 112} WMM^{As. u. Europ.76}); Sabean מלכן SabDenkm^{No. 1}; construct מלך, plural אמלך CIS^{iv 37}; compare Ethiopic God (and Nö^l.c.); Aramaic , מְלֵיךְ; Palmyrene מלך מלכא Vog^{No. 28}; Nabataean מלכא Eut^{Nab. 1}); — ׳מ absolute Gen 14:7 + (insert also 2Sam 13:17 ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu, and v2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu); in p. always מֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 49:20 + 238 t. (so also proper name in מֶלֶךְ-); construct Gen 14:1 +; suffix מַלְכִּי 2Sam 19:44 + 6 t., etc.; plural מְלָכִים Gen 14:9 +; מְלָכִין Prov 31:3 construct מַלְכֵי Gen 17:16 +; suffix מְלָכֶיהָ Isa 7:16 + 3 t.; מַלְכֵיהֶם Deut 7:24 + 16 t., etc.; —

1. king: of Egypt Gen 39:20f.; Exod 1:8f.; Deut 11:3; 1Kgs 3:1 of Mesopotamia, Shinar, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc. Judg 3:8; Judg 3:10; Gen 14:1f.; 2Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:3f.; 2Kgs 18:13f.; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:11f.; Ezra 1:1f.; Ezra 4:3f.; Esth 1:2 +, 1Kgs 11:18; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 14:25; 2Kgs 17:4f.; 2Kgs 23:29 +; of Canaan, Philistia, Edom, Moab, etc. (often of single city): Gen 14:2f.; vGen 14:18; Gen 20:2; Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8; Gen 36:31; Num 20:14; Num 21:1f.; Num 22:4; Num 22:10; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:1f.; Josh 2:2 (often in Joshua), Judg 1:7; Judg 5:19; Judg 8:5; Judg 8:12; Judg 11:12f.; 2Kgs 3:4f. +; of Aram, Hamath, etc. 2Sam 8:3f. v2Sam 8:9; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 20:1f.; 1Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 5:1f.; 2Kgs 8:7f.; v2Kgs 8:29; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Kgs 9:15; 2Kgs 15:37; 2Kgs 16:5f. +; of Tyre, etc. 2Sam 5:11; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:11; 1Kgs 9:16+, etc.; especially of Israel (undivided, and of both divisions) Gen 36:31; Num 23:21; Num 24:7; Deut 17:14f.; Judg 17:6; Judg 18:1; Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Sam 8:5f.; 2Sam 2:4f.; 1Kgs 1:33; 1Kgs 1:34f. + very often; compare also Judg 9:5. — 2Sam 18:29b strike out ׳הַמּ We Klo Dr Kit Bu. Note that in early books המלך דוד is nearly always said; in late books usually המלך ׳שׁלמה וגו) דוד; compare Aramaic כּוֺרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא, etc.

2. of Davidic king, as under divine protection, 1Sam 2:10 (|| מְשִׁיחוֺ), Ps 2:6; Ps 18:51; Ps 89:19; Ps 61:7, compare Ps 99:4 so in (Messianic) prediction Hos 3:5; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 37:22; Ezek 37:24; Zech 9:9.

3. used of ׳י as king of Israel 1Sam 12:12 in poetry Deut 33:5 compare Ps 5:3; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:5; Ps 48:3; Ps 68:25; Ps 74:12; Ps 84:4; Ps 145:1; Ps 149:2; Isa 41:21; Isa 43:15; Isa 44:6; Zeph 3:15 מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד Ps 24:7; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:9; Ps 24:10 (twice in verse); universal king Ps 47:3; Ps 47:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 98:6; Jer 10:7; Jer 10:10, compare Jer 46:18; Jer 48:15; Jer 51:57; Zech 14:9; Zech 14:16; Zech 14:17; Mal 1:14 of false god Amos 5:26.

4. in fable, king of trees Judg 9:8; Judg 9:15 figurative of crocodile Job 41:26 אֵין לָאַרְבֶּה ׳מ Prov 30:27 of death, מֶלֶךְ בַּלָּהוֺת Job 18:14.

5. combinations are: —
a. הַגָּדוֺל ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:13 (of Assyrian king: compare Assyrian šarru rabu); גָּדוֺל ׳מ Eccl 9:14 (indefinite); of ׳י Mal 1:14, עַלכֿלאֿלהים ׳ג ׳מ Ps 95:3 ׳מ עוֺלָם Jer 10:10 (of ׳י); מְלָכִים ׳מ Ezek 26:7 (king of Babylon)
b. יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 מֶלֶךְ בירושׁלם Eccl 1:1, compare Eccl 15:26; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 1Chr 29:25; 2Sam 2:11 (׳בחברון עלהֿיה מ) 1Kgs 11:37; 2Chr 28:4; Eccl 1:12.
c. following a verb (one or two accusative) על ׳שִׂים מ Deut 17:14; Deut 17:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:19 ׳שִׂים לָנוּ מ 1Sam 8:5 ׳שִׂים לְמ 1Kgs 10:9 לְ ׳נָתַן מ 1Sam 8:6; Hos 13:10; Hos 13:11 נָתַן עַל 1Sam 12:13; 2Chr 2:10; Neh 9:37; Neh 13:26 הִמְלִיךְ לְמֶלֶךְ Judg 9:6; 1Sam 15:11 על ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 12:1 לְ ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 8:22 ׳מָשַׁח מ עַל Judg 9:8 ׳מָשַׁח לְמ 1Kgs 1:45 עַל ׳מָשַׁךְ לְמ Judg 9:15; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 15:17; 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 5:12; 2Sam 12:7; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Chr 11:3; 1Chr 14:8 יִהְיֶה על ׳מ 1Sam 8:19 על ׳בִּקֵּשׁ למ 2Sam 3:17 ׳הֵכִין לְמ על 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 על ׳הֵקִים מ 1Kgs 14:14; Deut 28:36 ׳תַּחַת וגו ׳לְמ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא י 1Chr 29:23, compare Prov 20:8 אלהיך ׳לְי ׳נָתַן עַלכִּֿסֵּא לְמ 2Chr 9:8.
d. מַעֲדַנֵּימֶֿלךְ Gen 49:20 royal dainties, figurative; ׳מִשְׁתֵּה הַמּ 1Sam 25:36 royal feast (in simile); ׳אֶבֶן הַמּ 2Sam 14:26 king's weight; ׳יַדהַֿמּ 1Kgs 10:13 royal bounty (in simile); ׳גִּזֵּי הַמּ Amos 7:1 king's mowings; ׳מִקְדַּשׁ מ Amos 7:13 royal sanctuary; עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם 2Sam 12:30 crown of their king = 1Chr 20:2 (but read מִלְכֹּם ᵐ5 We Klo Dr Kit Kau — not Bu Kit^Chr. Hpt); compare also בַּיִת, עֵמֶק, גַּן, שָׁוֵה, etc. — proper name אבימלך, אחימלך, אלימלך, מלך, נתן, מלך, עבד, see below אב, אח, etc.

BDB4674 H4432 H1322 H4428

מֹ֫לֶךְ proper name, of a divinity Molech (ᵐ5 Μολοχ, ᵑ9 Moloch) (= מֶלֶךְ i.e. (divine) King, with vowels of בּשֶׁת to denote abhorrence, Hoffm^{ZAW iii. 1883, 124} RS^{Semitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372}; compare Hoffm^{GG Abh. xxxvi. 1890 a (May, 1889), 25}; Phoenician proper name, of divinity מלך Milk, in proper names compare Bloch, Dr^{Dt.222 f.}); — with article ׳הַמּ: — the god to whom Israel sacrificed children with fire (in valley of Hinnom); ׳העביר בָּנֵשׁ לַ מּ 2Kgs 23:10 ׳העביר לַמּ Jer 32:35 (|| הַבַּעַל), Lev 18:21 (H); ׳נתן לַמּ Lev 20:2; Lev 20:3; Lev 20:4 (H); more generally ׳לִזְנוֺת אַחֲרֵי הַמּ vLev 20:5 (H). In 1Kgs 11:7 read probably מִלְכֹּם, q. v.

BDB4684 H4442 H6664 H4428

מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Gen 14:18. Ps 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ.

BDB4685 H4443 H4428 H7311

מַלְכִּירָם proper name, masculine son of Jeconiah (= Jehoiakin) (my king (= Yahweh) is high, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 146 f.}; Phoenician proper name מלכרם); — 1Chr 3:18. ᵐ5 Μελχ(ε)ιραμ.

BDB4686 H4428 H4444 H7769

מַלְכִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine son of Saul my king (= ׳י) is opulence, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 147}); — 1Sam 14:49; 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 10:2 (in Chronicles מַלְכִּישֿׁוּעַ). ᵐ5 Μελχεισα, Μελχεσουε, etc.

Strong's Definition H4428

king, kings, royal

melek

a king

king

Variations 82 forms of this word

Translations 267 English renderings

Hammelech Father of Jerahmeel and Malchijah (or 'Malchiah'), officials during Jeremiah's time. Kings King's Highway An ancient trade route through Edom and Moab King's Valley

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Word Parts

נַֽעֲרָ֣ה

Root word damsel, maidens, damsels, maid, young, …

Dictionary form: נַעֲרָה · na-uh-RAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

נַעֲרָה

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: a young

the damsel ×6 damsel ×5 and the damsel ×3 maidens ×3 of the damsel ×3 the damsels ×3 young ×3 a damsel ×2

More options

young woman — Broadest, neutral modern default for the lemma.

girl — Informal; suits younger or lower-status figures.

maiden — Modernized KJV form; retains unmarried/virginal connotation.

servant girl — Use when context indicates a household attendant.

adolescent girl — Emphasizes age range when narrative stresses youth.

maidservant — Formal register; highlights subordinate social role.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5279 H5291

II. נַעֲרָה noun feminine girl, damsel; — absolute ׳נ Judg 19:3 + 22 t., also Qr Gen 24:14 + 20 t. Genesis, Deuteronomy (נַעֲרָה Kt in Pentateuch only Deut 22:19, see below); plural absolute נְעָרוֺת 1Sam 9:11 +, construct נַעֲרוֺת Esth 4:4 suffix נַעֲרוֺתָיו Ruth 2:22; Ruth 3:2, נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ Gen 24:61; Exod 2:5, etc.; —

1. girl, damsel; קְטַנָּה ׳נ little girl only 2Kgs 5:2, compare v2Kgs 5:4, perhaps = young daughters Job 40:29 elsewhere = young woman 1Sam 9:11 especially as marriageable, Gen 24:14; Gen 24:16; Gen 24:28; Gen 24:55; Gen 24:57; Gen 34:3; Gen 34:12 (all J), Deut 22:15 (twice in verse); Deut 22:16; Deut 22:19; Deut 22:20; Deut 22:21; Deut 22:24; Deut 22:26 (twice in verse); Deut 22:29; 1Kgs 1:3; 1Kgs 1:4; Esth 2:4; Esth 2:7; Esth 2:8; Esth 2:9; Esth 2:12 (twice in verse); Esth 2:13 specifically virgin בְּתוּלָה ׳נ Judg 21:12; Deut 22:23; Deut 22:28; 1Kgs 1:2; Esth 2:2; Esth 2:3 (compare Deut 22:15b; Deut 22:20); מְאֹרָשָׂה ׳נ betrothed girl Deut 22:25; Deut 22:27 young widow Ruth 2:6; Ruth 4:12 of a concubine Judg 19:3; Judg 19:4; Judg 19:5; Judg 19:6; Judg 19:8; Judg 19:9, a prostitute Amos 2:7.

2. of female attendants, maids (always plural), Gen 24:61 (J), Exod 2:5 (E), 1Sam 25:42; Prov 9:3; Prov 27:27; Prov 31:15; Esth 2:9 (twice in verse); Esth 4:4; Esth 4:16 gleaners Ruth 2:5; Ruth 2:8; Ruth 2:22; Ruth 2:23; Ruth 3:2. —

Note. נער Kt in Pentateuch as feminine (Qr נַעֲרָ֯) is probably not original; it is not found in Sam. Pentateuch, and feminine plural נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ occurs Genesis, Exodus; compare Ges^{«GKC:2n»§§ 2n}, «GKC:17c»17c.

Strong's Definition H5291

damsel, maidens, damsels, maid, young, …

naʿărâ

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

girl, damsel, female servant

girl, damsel, little girl

of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute

Variations 29 forms of this word

Translations 41 English renderings

Damsel Maiden

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Word Parts

בְתוּלָ֔ה

Root word virgin, virgins, maid, maidens, maids, …

Dictionary form: בְּתוּלָה · beh-too-LAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

בְתוּלָה

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: virgin

a virgin ×5 virgins ×5 o virgin ×4 the virgin ×4 the virgins ×4 a maid ×2 him the virgin ×2 maidens ×2

More options

virgin — Most precise; retains sexual-purity emphasis of the Hebrew.

young woman — Broader, gender-neutral of purity connotation; culturally accessible.

maiden — Slightly literary; signals youth and unmarried status together.

unmarried woman — Explicit about marital status; good for prose or legal contexts.

girl — Informal; suits narrative passages emphasizing youth over status.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1384 H1330

בְּתוּלָה₅₀ noun feminine virgin (compare Arabic , , Assyrian batultu (also batûlu of young man) 5 R 42:56 see Jerem^{ZA 1886, 399}; Late Hebrew בְּתוּלָא, ) — Gen 24:16 + 19 t.; construct בְּתוּלַת Deut 22:19 + 12 t.; plural בְּתוּלוֺת Esth 2:2 + 7 t.; בְּתֻלוֺת Zech 9:17 בְּתוּלֹת Exod 22:16 + 2 t.; בְּתֻלֹת Lam 5:11 suffix בְּתוּלֹתָיו Ps 78:63 + 3 t.; — one living apart in her father's house as a virgin Gen 24:16 (J) Exod 22:15 (E) Lev 21:3; Lev 21:14 (P) Deut 22:19; Judg 19:24; 2Sam 13:2; Job 31:1; Isa 62:5; Jer 2:32; Jer 31:13; Joel 1:8 נערה בתולה a virgin damsel Deut 22:23; Deut 22:28; Judg 21:12; 1Kgs 1:2; Esth 2:3 בחור ובתולה Deut 32:25; 2Chr 36:17; Jer 51:22; Ezek 9:6 personification of nations בתולת ישׂראל Jer 8:13; Jer 31:4; Jer 31:21; Amos 5:2 בת ציון ׳ב 2Kgs 19:21 (= Isa 37:22 on double stative construct see Ges^{«GKC:130»§ 130}. 5 Phi^{St. construct 63}) Lam 2:13 בת עמי ׳ב Jer 14:17 בת יהודה ׳ב Lam 1:15 בת צידון ׳ב Isa 23:12 בת בבל ׳ב Isa 47:1 ׳ב בת מצרים Jer 46:11 plural virgins Exod 22:16; 2Sam 13:18; Esth 2:2; Esth 2:17; Esth 2:19; Ps 45:15; Ps 78:63; Lam 1:4; Lam 2:10; Lam 5:11; Ezek 44:22; Amos 8:13 בחורים ובתולות Ps 148:12; Isa 23:4; Zech 9:17; Lam 1:18; Lam 2:21.

Strong's Definition H1330

virgin, virgins, maid, maidens, maids, …

bĕtûlâ

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

virgin

Variations 19 forms of this word

Translations 27 English renderings

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Word Parts

וְ עָֽמְדָה֙

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

עָֽמְדָה֙

Root word stood, stand, up, set, still, …

Dictionary form: עָמַד · aw-MAHD

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqq3fs

Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
עָֽמְדָה	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person Third Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and let her stand

stood ×59 and stood ×45 stand ×32 shall stand ×16 standing ×10 standeth ×9 to stand ×9 and set ×7

More options

stand — Most versatile; covers position, endurance, and resolve.

remain — Prefer when emphasizing continuation or persistence.

take a position — Good for confrontational or deliberate stance contexts.

stay — Informal; suits narrative passages about halting movement.

endure — Best when the focus is on lasting through time or trial.

be present — Use for cultic or official attendance before someone.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6128 H5975

עָמַד₅₂₀ take one's stand, stand (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician עמד; Assyrian emêdu, stand, set up; Arabic prop up, support, and derivatives; Ethiopic pillar; ᵑ7 עַמּוּדָא pillar, Syriac , Palmyrene עמודא, compare also proper name תימעמד; Sabean עמד pillar, according to CIS^{iv. 91} (or other derivatives from √ עמד DHM^{ZMG xxxvii (1883), 5}), plural אעמדן pillars DHM^{Epigr. Denkm. sus Abess. 80}); —

Qal₄₃₅ Perfect ׳ע Gen 19:27 +, 3 feminine singular עָֽמְדָה 2Kgs 13:6 +, etc.; Imperfect יַעֲמֹד Exod 21:21, יַעֲמוֺד Nah 1:6 +, יַעֲמָדֿ 1Sam 16:22 +; 1 singular אֶעֱמֹ֑דָה Hab 2:1, וָאֶעֱמֹד 2Sam 1:10 3 masculine plural יַעַמְדוּ Jer 32:14 +, יַעֲמֹ֑דוּ Ezek 1:21 +, 2 masculine plural וַתַּעַמְדוּן Deut 4:11, etc.; Imperative עֲמֹד 1Sam 9:27 +, עֲמָדֿ 2Sam 1:9 feminine singular עִמְדִי Isa 47:12; Jer 48:19, etc.; Infinitive absolute עָמֹד Esth 9:16 construct עֲמֹד Exod 18:23 +, suffix עָמְדִי Jer 18:20, עֲמָדְךָ Obad 1:11, etc.; Participle עֹמֵד Isa 3:13 +, feminine עֹמֶ֫דֶת Hag 2:5 +, etc.; —

1. a. take one's stand, and (especially participle) stand, be in a standing attitude: with עַל by, 1Sam 26:13; 2Sam 2:25; 2Kgs 2:7 +, so participle Gen 18:8 (J), Gen 41:1; Gen 41:17 (E) +, עַל on, Exod 3:5 (E), Deut 27:12 +; with ב location Exod 32:26; Num 22:24; Num 22:26 (all J E), +; with אֶל location 1Kgs 20:38 (+ לְ person), Jer 48:19; Ezek 21:26; Ezek 27:29 with אֶל person 1Sam 17:51; 2Kgs 5:25 with אֵצֶל Gen 41:3 (E), Ezek 9:2; Ezek 10:6; Neh 8:4 with לִפְנֵי Gen 18:22; 1Kgs 3:16; 1Kgs 8:22 +; before ׳י, for intercession Gen 19:27 (J), Deut 4:10; Jer 15:1; Jer 18:20, etc.; take one's stand and do a thing 1Sam 17:8; 1Kgs 8:55; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:13 +; followed by infinitive 1Kgs 8:11 = 2Chr 5:14 +.
b. stand forth (to speak, etc.) 2Kgs 10:9 +.
c. take a stand against (עַל), in opposition to, Judg 6:31; Ezra 10:15 (but stand over, = have charge of, according to Kue^{Ges. Abh. 247 f.}) 2Chr 26:18 compare עַלדַּֿם Lev 19:16 (H) against the blood of, i.e. seek one's blood, life; with יָ֑חַד Isa 50:8 together, i.e. against each other.
d. present oneself before (לִפְנֵי) Gen 43:15 (J), Exod 9:10 (E), Num 27:2; Num 27:21 (P), 1Sam 16:21 +; before ׳י (in sanctuary) Deut 19:17; Jer 7:10 compare Jer 18:20; Lev 9:5 (P); so in heaven 1Kgs 22:21 = 2Chr 18:20 with ב location of child at birth Hos 13:13, in palace (as retainer, courtier) Dan 1:4
e. with לִפְנֵי attend upon, be(come) servant of 1Sam 16:22 (see Dr), 1Kgs 1:2 +; servant of ׳י 1Kgs 17:1; 1Kgs 18:15; 2Kgs 3:14; 2Kgs 5:16; Jer 15:19 priests (לְשָֽׁרְתוֺׅ׳לִפְנֵי י Deut 10:8; Judg 20:28; Ezek 44:15; 2Chr 29:11 of Levites, stand before congregation for menial duties Ezek 44:11; Num 16:9 (P). feminine stand afar מֵרָחוֺק Exod 20:18; Exod 20:21 (E), Isa 59:14; Ps 38:12, ׳בְּר Ps 10:1 ׳מִנֶּגֶד מֵר 2Kgs 2:7 stand aloof, מִנֶֹּגֶד Obad 1:11; Ps 38:12.
g. stand (silent) Job 32:16.
h. stand (appealingly) Job 30:20 (but read עָמַדְתָּ, of God, Me Hi Du).
i. stand, subject רֶגֶל Zech 14:4 (עַל location), Ps 122:2 (ב location) so Ps 26:12 (figurative).
j. stand, of water, עַלהָֿרִים Ps 104:6. See also prepositions אֶל, אֵצֶל, עַל, מִמַּעַל, עִם, etc.

2. a. stand still, stop, cease moving, of moon Josh 10:13 (J E; || וַיִּדֹּם), sun vJosh 10:13, both, Hab 3:11 of person 1Sam 9:27 (opposed to עָבַר), 2Sam 2:28 (opposed to רָדַף), עִמְדוּ עֲמֹ֫דוּ Nah 2:9 +; stop flowing (of oil) 2Kgs 4:6 remain standing, with תַּחְתֵּינוּ Judg 7:21; 1Sam 14:9 etc.; of eruption in skin = remain unchanged Lev 13:23; Lev 13:28 so (without ׳ת) Lev 13:5; Lev 13:37 (all P).
b. = be inactive 2Chr 20:17 (opposed to לְהִלָּחֵם, + הִתְיַצְּבוּ).
c. = be attentive Job 37:14.
d. stop, cease doing a thing 2Kgs 13:18 with מִן Gen 29:35; Gen 30:9 (both J), Joel 1:15.

3. a. tarry, delay Gen 45:9 (E), Josh 10:19 (J E; opposed to רָדַף), 1Sam 20:38 (opposed to מְהֵרָה, חוּשָׁה), +.
b. remain, with ב location 2Kgs 15:20; Deut 10:10 with עִמָּדִי Deut 5:28 (opposed to שׁוּב); + infinitive purpose Esth 7:7.
c. continue, abide Jer 32:14; Isa 66:22; Ps 102:27 (opposed to אָבַד); = dwell Exod 8:18 (J; עַל location); לָעַד Ps 19:10; Ps 111:3; Ps 111:10; Ps 112:3; Ps 112:9 לְעוֺלָם Ps 33:11; Eccl 1:4 בְּתוֺךְ Hag 2:5 of plan = be established Ps 33:11 (earlier קוּם, as Isa 14:24), so Esth 3:4; Dan 11:17 b; = maintain itself (earlier קוּם Josh 2:11) Eccl 2:9 לֹא יַעֲמָדבִּֿי כֹחַ Dan 10:17.
d. endure Exod 18:23 (E), Ezek 22:14 (|| חָזַק).
e. be steadfast Deut 25:8; Ruth 2:7. feminine persist Eccl 8:3.

4. make a stand, hold one's ground, Amos 2:15; 2Kgs 10:4; Mal 3:2 +; with לִפְנֵי Judg 2:14; 2Kgs 10:4 +, בִּפְנֵי Josh 10:8; Josh 21:44 (Ginsb; van d. H. Baer vJosh 21:42), Josh 23:9 (all D); with עַל, for one's life Esth 8:11; Esth 9:16.

5. stand upright:
a. remain standing 2Kgs 13:6 of head 2Kgs 6:31 remain upright upon him (עָלָיו); of house (figurative of endurance) Job 8:15; Prov 12:7.
b. stand up, opposed to sit, Neh 8:5; Job 29:8 (+ קוּם); opposed to lie prostrate Ezek 2:1 (עַלרַֿגְלֶיךָ), so Ezek 37:10 (id.), Dan 10:1, vDan 10:11 (עַלעָֿמְדָ֑ךָ), Esth 8:4 of revival after death Dan 12:13 (late for קוּם).
c. stand up, rise, of water Josh 3:13 (+ appositive נֵד אֶחָד), vJosh 3:16 (+ קָמוּ + id.; both J E).
d. be erect, upright, of boards Exod 26:15; Exod 36:20 (P).

6. a. arise, appear, come on the scene (= קוּם; late) Ezra 2:63 = Neh 7:65; Ps 106:30 (compare Eccl 47:1; Eccl 47:12), especially Dan 8:22 (twice in verse); Dan 8:23; Dan 11:2; Dan 11:3; Dan 11:4; Dan 12:1, compare Dan 11:7 (כַּנּוֺ), vDan 11:20 vDan 11:21 (עַלכַּֿנּוֺ); with תַּחַת instead of Eccl 4:15 of war 1Chr 20:4, deliverance Esth 4:14.
b. stand forth, appear = come into being Isa 48:13; Ps 33:9; Ps 119:90.
c. rise up as foe (earlier קום Amos 7:9; Gen 4:8), with עַל against 1Chr 21:1; 2Chr 20:23; Dan 8:25; Dan 11:14,
c. לְנֶגְדִּי against Dan 10:13.

7. rare usages are:
a. אֶתֿ ׳ע stand with, as attendant, servitor Gen 45:1 (E), Num 1:5 (P).
b. take one's stand in covenant, בַּבְּרִית 2Kgs 23:3.
c. stand עַלחֶֿרֶב Ezek 33:26 (resort to the sword).
d. stand ׳בְּסוֺד י Jer 23:18; Jer 23:22 (see סוֺד).
e. be appointed Ezra 10:14. feminine stand before (לִפְנֵי) beast Lev 18:23 (carnal intercourse)
g. grow flat, insipid (Gie), taste of wine Jer 48:11 (figurative of Moab), or remain unchanged (so most, in that case compare 3 b). — עָמְדִי Dan 11:1b is corrupt, read probably עָמַדְתִּי, or עָמַד (מִיכָאֵל subject), join then to Dan 10:21 and strike out Dan 11:1a; so Bev Behrm Marti^Kau. Hiph`il₈₃ (compare Dr^{Intr. (6) 535}) Perfect 3 masculine singular הֶעֱמִיד 1Kgs 12:32 +, 2 masculine singular הֶעֱמַדְתָּה Ps 30:8, וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ֫ Num 3:6 +, etc., Imperfect יַעֲמִיד Prov 29:4 +, וַיַּעֲמֵד 2Kgs 8:1 +; 3 feminine singular suffix וַתַּעֲמִדֵנִי Ezek 2:2; Ezek 3:24, 1 plural וַנַּעֲמִיד Neh 4:3, etc.; Imperative הַעֲמֵד Isa 21:6 suffix הַעֲמִידֶהָ Ezek 24:11 Infinitive absolute הַעֲמֵיד Neh 7:3 construct הַעֲמִיד 1Kgs 15:4 +; Participle מַעֲמִיד 2Chr 18:34 (but see Hoph`al): —

1. station, set, with accusative Judg 16:25 (בֵּין); for duty Num 11:24 (E; סְבִיבֹת) 1Kgs 12:32 (ב location), 2Chr 19:5 (id.), Neh 13:11(עַלֿ עָמְדָם), Isa 21:6 + (Neh 4:7 a read perhaps Qal, so Perles^{Anal. 65}), with עַל against Neh 4:3.

2. cause to stand firm Ps 18:34 = 2Sam 22:34 (with עַל location); maintain (opposed to overthrow) Exod 9:16 (J), 1Kgs 15:4, compare Prov 29:4.

3. cause to stand up, set up, erect, with accusative + עַלרַֿגְלַי Ezek 2:2; Ezek 3:24, so עַלעָֿמְדִי Dan 8:18 temple Ezra 2:68 (עַל location), compare 2Chr 24:13 (על location, of repairs); especially doors Neh 3:1 + 7 t. Nehemiah; Asherim 2Chr 33:19, compare 2Chr 25:14.

4. + לִפְנֵי present one before king Gen 47:7 (P), ׳י (in sanctuary) Lev 14:11 + 3 t. P, + (of goat) Lev 16:7, priest Lev 27:8 + 4 t. P, + (of beast) Lev 27:11.

5. appoint Neh 7:3; 1Chr 15:17 + (late); with עַל over Neh 13:9 +, with infinitive purpose Neh 6:7 +, with 2 accusative 1Chr 15:16 = assign (land) to (ל) 2Chr 33:8 (|| 2Kgs 21:8 נָתַן); appoint courses of priests 2Kgs 8:14; 2Kgs 31:2, compare Neh 13:30 ordain commandments, עַל person Neh 10:33, compare 2Chr 30:5 establish עַדהָֿעוֺלָם 1Chr 17:14 (ב location), compare 2Chr 9:8; Ps 148:6 with accusative of covenant Ps 105:10 = 1Chr 16:17 (ל person + ל of thing); with חָזוֺן vision Dan 11:14 (= fulfil, earlier הֵקִים).

6. other meanings:
a. אֶתפָּֿנָיו ׳ע 2Kgs 8:11 have a fixed look.
b. with accusative רַגְלַי + ב location Ps 31:9 (figurative).
c. make to stand (in a covt.; see || 2Kgs 23:3) 2Chr 34:32.
d. restore waste places Ezra 9:9.
e. + לְפָנֶיהָ Esth 4:5, i.e. make servant to. feminine cause wind to arise Ps 107:25.
g. = raise an army Dan 11:11; Dan 11:13. — 2Chr 18:34 see Hoph`al; Ps 30:8 see עֹז; Ezek 29:7 see מָעַד. Hoph`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָעֳמַדֿ Lev 16:10 be presented (of goat), + ׳לִפְנֵי י; Participle הָיָה מָעֳמָד 1Kgs 22:35 he was caused to stand, i.e. propped up, in (ב) his chariot, so read also || 2Chr 18:34 (as ᵐ5), for ᵑ0 מַעֲמִיד. — On Perfect הָעֳמַדְתִּי see עֹז Ps 30:8.

Strong's Definition H5975

stood, stand, up, set, still, …

ʿāmad

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand

(Qal)

to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of

to station, set

Variations 162 forms of this word

Translations 239 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לִ פְנֵ֣י

לִ

Prefix — preposition to, for

פְנֵ֣י

Root word before, face, presence, because, faces, …

Dictionary form: פָּנִים · paw-NEEM

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncbpc

Noun — Common, both plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

לִ	Speech Preposition
פְנֵי	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Both Number Plural State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: before

before ×796 the face ×55 from before ×53 his face ×53 because ×49 my face ×48 thy face ×39 before him ×38

More options

face — Most direct rendering; prefer for literal, physical contexts.

presence — Ideal for divine or royal encounter contexts.

countenance — Slightly elevated; suits emotional or expressive descriptions.

surface — Use for physical objects, land, or water (e.g. 'surface of the deep').

in front of — Best for spatial or positional prepositional phrases.

because of — Use when פָּנִים heads a causal prepositional phrase.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4446 H3942 H6440

לִפְנָָֽי 1Kgs 6:17 see below [ פָּנֶה], פָּנִים.

BDB6680 H6440 H3942

[פָּנֶה], plural פָּנִים₂₁₂₃ noun masculine^{Prov 25:23} and (Ezekiel = Prov 21:21 = edge; on 2Sam 10:9 see below) feminine face, also faces (as turned toward one); — plural absolute פָּנִים Gen 32:31 +; construct פְּנֵי 2Sam 14:32 +; suffix 1 singular פָּנַי Gen 43:3 +; 3 masculine singular פָּנָיו Gen 4:5 +, פָּנֵי֑מוֺ Ps 11:7 (Kö^ll.1.446); 2 masculine pluralפְּנֵיכֶם Gen 40:7 +, etc.; — usually with verb plural, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6; Exod 33:14 +; with verb singular Lam 4:16 (through influence of intervening ׳י, Ges^{«GKC:146a»§ 146a}), Prov 15:14 (but read פִּי, as Qr, see פֶּה); —

I. 1. face, faces (Jer 30:6; Ezek 27:35 +, compare Ezek 1:6; Ezek 10:14; Ezek 10:21 etc.):
a. literally, of man Gen 43:31; 2Sam 19:5; 1Kgs 19:13; Lev 13:14; Dan 8:18; Dan 10:9; Dan 10:15 +; ׳עוֺר פ Exod 35:29; Exod 35:30; Exod 35:35 pale (from alarm) Isa 29:22; Jer 30:6, flushed Isa 13:8; Ezek 21:3, compare Nah 2:11; Joel 2:6 tearful Isa 25:8; Job 16:16 sad, רעים ׳פ Gen 40:7, compare Neh 2:2; Neh 2:3, also ׳רֹעַ פ Eccl 7:8 i.e. sadness; ׳יֵּיטִב פ Prov 15:13 maketh glad the face; נָָֽפְלוּ פָנֶיךָ, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6 why is the face fallen (in displeasure), compare 1Sam 1:18 (reading נָָֽפְלָה, נָָֽפְ לוּ, or הִפִּילָה); covered with shame Ezek 7:18, whence figurative of confusion, discomfiture Jer 51:51; Ps 69:8; Ps 83:17, etc.
b. of ׳י Exod 33:20, compare vExod 33:23.
c. פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face, of seeing (God) Gen 32:31, compare Judg 6:22, knowing Deut 34:10, judging Ezek 20:35, speaking Exod 33:11, and so ׳בְּפ ׳פ Deut 5:4 נִתְרֶאֶה פָנִים 2Kgs 14:8 see each other (in the) face = meet each other in battle, compare v2Kgs 14:11 = 2Chr 25:17; 2Chr 25:21.
d. of relations with ׳׃י ׳הֵרִים פ Ezra 9:6, in worship (see also נשׂא); in spiritual sense Jer 2:27; Jer 32:33 (פָּנָה אֵלַי עֹרֶף וְלֹא פָנִים); ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ י ׳נָתַן פ 2Chr 20:3 ׳נָתַן אֶתפֿ אֶלאֲֿדֹנָי Dan 9:3 הַבָּנִים קְשֵׁי פָנִים Ezek 2:4.
e. of ׳י himself, לֹא יָסִיר פָּנִיםִ מִכֶּם 2Chr 30:9 בְּעֹשֵׂי ׳פְּנֵי י רָ֑ע Ps 34:17 גַּעֲרַת פָּנֶיךָ Ps 80:17. — See further below

7. 2. a. = presence, person, of ׳י Exod 33:14; Exod 33:15, בְּפָנָיו Deut 4:37, מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו Isa 63:9 לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, see לֶחֶם; of ׳י's angry presence Lam 4:16; Ps 21:10 of Absalom 2Sam 17:11 in weakened sense, nearly = suffix (compare נפשׁ 4 a), Prov 7:15.
b. with ראה technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence: before a man Gen 32:21 (+ 3 other uses of ׳פ), (God, with יראה pointed as Niph`al, see II 2); especially as privilege, = have access to, man of rank Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5; Gen 44:23; Gen 44:26, king Exod 10:28 (twice in verse) compare vExod 10:29 (all J), 2Sam 14:24 (twice in verse); 2Sam 14:28; 2Sam 14:32 compare 2Sam 3:13 (twice in verse); רֹאֵי פְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 25:19 = Jer 52:25; Esth 1:14 implying favour of person seen, man Gen 33:10 (J), God vGen 33:10, compare Job 33:26 (Hiph`il), and, with חזה, Ps 11:7; Ps 17:15.

3. face of seraphim Isa 6:2, cherubim Exod 25:20 (twice in verse) = Exod 37:9 (twice in verse), Ezek 1:8; Ezek 1:11; 2Chr 3:13 +.

4. face of animals, פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן Gen 30:40 ׳אַרְיֵה וּפ ׳פ נֶשֶׁר ׳שׁוֺר ופ Ezek 1:10 (in descr. of cherubim), compare Ezek 10:14 אַרְיֵה ׳פ also 1Chr 12:8 (figurative), כְֿפִיר׳פ Ezek 41:19 ׳פִּתְחֵי פ Job 41:6 of crocodile.

5. face (= surface) of ground (הָאֲדָמָה) Gen 2:6; Gen 4:14; Gen 7:4; Ps 104:30 +, so הָאָרֶץ ׳פ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3; Gen 8:9; Gen 11:4; Gen 11:8; Gen 11:9; Gen 19:28; Isa 24:1, תֵבֵל ׳פ Isa 14:21; Isa 27:6 of a field Prov 24:31 תְהוֺם ׳פ Gen 1:2 (twice in verse); Job 38:30, הַמַּיִם ׳פ Gen 7:18 רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם׳פ Gen 1:20 כִֿסֵּה׳פ Job 26:9 i.e. of God's throne (but Bu reads כֶּסֶה fullmoon); הַלּוֺט ׳פ Job 25:7 see [ לוּט; לְבוּשׁוֺ ׳פ Job 41:5 the expanse of his [the crocodile's] coat; front (especially Ezek.), of house Ezek 41:14; Ezek 47:1, הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳פ Ezek 41:21 of gate Ezek 40:6; Ezek 40:20; Ezek 40:22; Ezek 42:15; Ezek 43:4 of chamber Ezek 40:44 (twice in verse); Ezek 40:45; Ezek 40:46 of pot (סִיר) Jer 1:13 הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳פ 2Sam 10:9 battle-front = 1Chr 19:10 (verb agrees with ׳הַמּ in gender, Ges^{«GKC:146a»§ 146a}); = van of locust-army Joel 2:20 (opposed to סֹפוֺ); front, i.e. edge, of sword Ezek 21:21, of axe Eccl 10:10 = condition, state of a thing, as denoted by its appearance; of flock Prov 27:23 הַדָּבָר ׳פ 2Sam 14:20 the appearance (situation, attitude) of the affair.

6. as adverb of location מִפָּנִים וּמֵאָחוֺר 2Sam 10:9 before and behind = ׳וְֿ ׳פ 1Chr 19:10, also Ezek 2:10; 2Chr 13:14 פְּנֵי toward Song 7:5, also in front (to the East?) of 2Chr 20:16 (see לִפְנֵי d below); לְפָנִים forward Jer 7:24 (opposed to לְאחוֺר); מִלִּפְנִים 1Kgs 6:29 see פְּנִימָה; adverb temporal לְפָנִים formerly Deut 2:12; Deut 2:20; Josh 11:10; Judg 1:10; Judg 1:11; Judg 1:13 + 12 t.; מִלְּפָנִים Isa 41:26 from beforetime (|| מֵראֹשׁ).

7. for other phrases see: אוֺר verb Hiph`il 5; אוֺר n. 10; בּוֺשׁ Hiph`il; בקשׁ Pi`el 3; בּשֶׁת 1; [הַכָּרָה]; הָדַר 2; זָעַם Niph`al; זָעַף 1; הָבַשׁ 1 a; I. חָרָה I חָוַר; חָזַק Pi`el 5; II. חלה; IV. חמר; חָפָה; טָחַן; יָעַד Hoph`al; יְשׁוּעָה 3; כּוּן Hiph`il 3; כִּפֶּר 1; כָּסָה Pi`el 1, 2; מָאוֺר; מְגַמָּה p. 169; I. מוּל; מַשּׂא; [נָבַט] Hiph`il 3; נֶגֶד 1, 2 c; נֹכַח; נָכַר Hiph`il; נָפַל 3 b, and Hiph`il 5; נָשָׂא 1 b (3); נָתַן 2 b; סָבַב Hiph`il 1 a; סָתַר Hiph`il 2; I. עֵבֶר 2; עַז, עָזַז Hiph`il; עָמַד Hiph`il 6 a; II. עֻמָּה; [צָרַב]; [קָדַם] Pi`el; שִׂים; שׁוּב Hiph`il; שִׁית; II.שָׁנָה Pi`el; תֹּפֶת. II. פְּנֵי with prepositions: —

1. אֶלפְּֿנֵי:
a. to the presence of, Exod 23:17 pregnantly יֵרָאֶה ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הָאָדוֺן shall appear (coming) to the presence of (= before) ׳י (|| Exod 34:23 ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי הָא); with יָצָא = to confront 2Chr 19:2.

b. to the front of, after a verb of motion, Lev 6:7 הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳הַקְרֵב אֹתָהּ ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵ, Lev 9:5; Lev 16:2; Num 17:8; Num 20:10.
c. towards or on the front of (אֶל = עַל), Ezek 41:4; Ezek 41:12; Ezek 41:15; Ezek 41:25; Ezek 42:2; Ezek 42:3; Ezek 42:7; Ezek 42:10; Ezek 42:13; Ezek 45:7; Ezek 48:21.
d. on to the surface of, Lev 14:53 וְשִׁלַּח ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה, Ezek 16:5.

2. אֶתפְּֿנֵי close by (II. אֵת) the face or front of: hence
a. the presence of, 1Sam 2:11 עֵלִי ׳אֶתפֿ 1Kgs 12:6 who stood שְׁלֹמֹה ׳אֶתפֿ (compare לִפְנֵי 1Kgs 10:8), Esth 1:10; Prov 17:24 pregnantly (nisi וַיַּנִּחֵם leg., ᵑ6 ᵑ7 We Dr and others) 1Sam 22:4. Specifically ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי י Gen 19:13 (1Sam 2:17), v1Sam 2:27; 1Sam 2:18 and with נִרְאָה of the appearance of all males at the three annual חַגִּים, Exod 34:23 הָאָדֹן ׳יֵרָאֶה כָּלזְֿכוּרְךָ אֶתפֿ, vExod 34:24; Deut 16:16 (compare Dr), Deut 31:11; 1Sam 1:22 (|| ׳י ׳אלפֿ Exod 23:17); so פָּנַי alone Exod 23:15 = Exod 34:20 (לֹא יֵרָאוּ פָנַי רֵיקָם), Isa 1:22, פָנֶיךָ Ps 42:3 (according to many, Ges^Thes Di^{Exod 23:15} Che^{Isa 1:12, critical note}, the verb in all these passages was originally Qal, afterwards pointed as Niph`al to avoid the expression see the face of ׳י); אֶתפָּֿנֶיךָ in thy presence Ps 16:10; Ps 21:7; Ps 140:14.
b. in front of, Gen 33:18. הָעִיר ׳וַיִּחַן אֶתפֿ, Lev 4:6 פָרֹכֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳אֶתפֿ ׳לִפְנֵי י vLev 4:17. — מֵאֵת פְּנֵי from before, see II. אֵת

4 a. 3. בִּפְנֵי: (a) in the face of, mostly in particular phrases, with hostile import: thus, with יָרַק to spit Num 12:14; Deut 25:9 התיצב to make a stand Deut 7:24; Deut 11:25, and עמד Josh 10:8, לֹא יַעֲמֹד אִישׁ בְּפָנֶיךָ Josh 21:42; Josh 23:9 עָנָה to answer (give evidence) against, Hos 5:5 וענה גאון ישׂראל בפניו, Hos 7:10; Job 16:8 וְנָקֹטוּ בִּפְנֵיהֶם = feel loathing against their own selves, Ezek 6:9, so Ezek 20:43; Ezek 36:31. (b) in front of, Ezek 42:12.

4. לִפְנֵי, properly at the face or front of, the most general word for in the presence of, before: as Gen 18:22 עֹמֵד לִפְנֵי אַבְרָהָם, Exod 4:21; Exod 11:10; 2Sam 2:14; Prov 17:18 + often; after a verb of motion, Gen 47:2 וַיַּצִּיגֵם ׳לפני פ and set them before Pharaoh, Gen 27:20 ׳כִּי הִקְרָה י לפני literally made (it) to meet before me (compare Gen 24:12), Exod 29:10; Prov 18:16 etc. In particular,
a. With the implication of
(a) under the eye or oversight of, Deut 25:2; 1Sam 3:1.
(b) under the eye and regard of, Gen 17:18 לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ, Hos 6:2; Isa 53:2; Ps 61:8 compare Jer 30:20; Jer 31:36; Isa 66:22; Ps 102:29: also 1Sam 2:28; 2Sam 19:14.
(c) figurative for in (or into) the full (mental) view of, Gen 6:13 קֵץ כָּלבָּֿשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי is come in before me, Lam 1:22 תָּבאֹ כָלרָֿעָתָם לְפָנֶיךָ, Jonah 1:2 עָֽלְתָה לְפָנַי (compare אֶל Gen 18:21; Exod 2:23), Isa 65:6 כְּתוּבָה לְפָנָ֑י, Jer 2:22 נִכְתָּךְ לְפָנָי (compare נֶגְדִּי Isa 47:12).
(d) openly before, 1Sam 12:2 הִתְהַלֵךְ לִפְנֵי, and with collateral idea of deserving (and receiving) regard 1Sam 2:35, especially ׳לפני י Gen 17:1 and elsewhere.
(e) in presence of the moon or sun, Ps 72:5; Ps 72:17, i.e. as long as they endure.
(f) free before, at the disposal of,Gen 13:9 הֲלֹא כָלהָֿאָרֶץ לְפָנֶיךָ (compare Gen 20:15; Gen 34:10; Gen 47:6; Jer 40:4; 2Chr 14:6), 2Chr 24:51; Song 8:12.
(g) in the sight (estimation) of, Gen 7:1 thee have I seen to be just before me, Gen 10:9 a mighty hunter before ׳י, Deut 24:4 ׳י ׳תּוֺעֵבָה ל, vDeut 24:13 ׳י ׳צְדָקָה ל, 1Sam 20:1 b, אָרוּר ׳י ׳ל Josh 6:26; 1Sam 26:19, ׳י ׳לְרָצוֺן ל acceptable before ׳י, Lev 1:3 +, Ps 19:15; 2Kgs 5:1 a great man לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנָיו, Prov 14:12; Ps 143:2 ׳וַיִּיטַב ל (late synonym of earlier בְּעֵנֵי) Neh 2:5; Neh 2:6; Esth 5:14 ׳טוֺב ל Eccl 2:26; Eccl 7:26 compare also נָתַן לְרַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי, see רַחֲמִים.
(h) ׳לִפְנֵי י, specifically of acts done with a solemn sense of ׳י's presence, often, but not always, at a sanctuary: Gen 27:7 that I may eat and bless thee before ׳י, before I die, Exod 18:12 to eat bread before God, Deut 1:45 ye wept before ׳י, Deut 6:25; Deut 12:7 (to eat, so vDeut 12:18; Deut 14:23; Deut 14:26; Deut 15:20), vDeut 15:12 (rejoice, so vDeut 15:18; Deut 27:7; Isa 9:2), Josh 18:6; Josh 24:1; Judg 11:11; Judg 20:23; Judg 20:26; Judg 21:2; 1Sam 7:6; 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 11:15; 1Sam 12:7; 1Sam 15:33; 1Sam 23:18; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 21:9 and constantly in P, as Exod 16:9; Exod 16:33; Exod 16:34; Lev 1:5; Lev 1:11; Lev 3:1; Lev 3:7 etc.; of residents in Jerusalem Isa 23:18. So in ׳י ׳הָלַךְ ל 1Kgs 2:4 and elsewhere.
b. In other phrases: —
(a) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand before, i.e. wait upon, be in attendance on, Deut 1:38 and elsewhere (see עָמַד 1 e). Simil. הָיָה לִפְנֵי 1Sam 19:7 (compare 1Sam 29:8), 2Kgs 5:2 ׳עָבַד ל 2Sam 16:19.
(b) הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לִפְנֵי to bow down before Gen 23:12; Deut 26:10; 2Kgs 18:22 and elsewhere (see below שָׁחָה; also נָפַל 3 b): so with הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray 1Sam 1:12 +; compare הלך פָני 1Kgs 12:30; 1Chr 21:30.
(c) to be smitten (נִגַּף) before a foe; see נָגַף Niph`al [contrast נוּס מִפְּנֵי: below 6 a]. So with נָפַל 1Sam 14:13 נָתַן (in helplessness or flight), especially in Deuteronomy, as Deut 1:8; Deut 1:21; Deut 7:2 (twice in verse); Deut 7:23; Josh 10:12; Josh 11:6 + (Dr^{DT lxxxii}): compare Judg 4:15; 2Sam 5:20; Isa 45:1; Jer 1:17.
(d) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand (make a stand) before (not quite so strong as בִּפְנֵי ׳ע, above 3), Exod 9:11; Judg 2:14; 2Kgs 10:4; Jer 49:19; Ps 76:8; Ps 147:17; Nah 1:6 so with הִתְיַצֵּב Deut 9:2; Josh 1:5; Job 41:2, קוּם Josh 7:12; Josh 7:13.
(e) in hostile sense (rare), יָצָא לִפְנֵי go forth to face 1Chr 14:8; 2Chr 14:9.
(f) לִפְנֵי (נָתַן) שִׂים, of food, to set or place before, Gen 18:8; Gen 24:33 +.
(g) נָתַן לִפְנֵי to set before, i.e. propound for acceptance or choice, usually of laws (especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah), Deut 4:8; Deut 11:26; Deut 11:32; Deut 30:1; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19; 1Kgs 9:6 (D²), Jer 9:12; Jer 21:8; Jer 26:4; Jer 44:10; , compare Ezek 23:24 (place at disposal of): so with שִׂים Exod 19:7; Exod 21:1.
c. With reference to position:
(a) in front of, before, especially with verbs of motion (with which נֶגֶד is hardly used), Gen 32:21 בַּמִּנְחָה הַהֹלֶכֶת לְפָנָ֔י that goeth before me, Gen 33:14 the cattle אֲשֶׁר לְפָנַי, Exod 17:5; Exod 23:20 etc.; in the description of a march or procession, Exod 13:21; Exod 13:22; Num 10:33; Isa 52:12; Isa 58:8 +; 2Sam 3:31 and wail before Abner (before his bier); of flocks before a shepherd Gen 32:18 of captives or booty driven before a conqueror 1Sam 30:20 (read וַיִּנְהֲגוּ לְפָנָיו We Dr), Isa 8:4; Isa 40:10 = Isa 62:11 וּפְעֻלָּתוֺ לְפָנָיו his recompence (i.e. his newly-recovered people, regarded as his prize of war) before him, Amos 9:4; Lam 1:5; Lam 1:6
(b) of a leader, etc. = at the head of, Deut 10:11; Judg 9:39; 1Sam 8:20; Mic 1:13 and elsewhere; compare בא ויצא לפני (העם) Num 27:17; 1Sam 18:13; 1Sam 18:16; 2Chr 1:10; Eccl 4:16 before whom (at whose head) he was.
(c) denoting superiority, before, above, Gen 48:20 וַיָּשֶׂם אתאֿפרים לפני מנשׁה, Job 34:19.
d. Of places (not very common): Exod 14:2 before Pi-hahiroth . . ., before Baal-zephon, Num 33:7b, Gen 23:17 מַמְרֵא ׳אשׁר ל (usually ׳על פני מ: see 7 a d), 1Chr 19:7; Neh 8:1; Neh 8:3 before the temple, veil, altar, etc., Exod 16:34 + הָעֵדֻת ׳ל, Exod 30:6 + הַפָּרֹכֶת ׳ל, Exod 40:5; Exod 40:6; Num 3:38; Num 7:10 and elsewhere (all P), 1Kgs 6:21; 1Kgs 7:49 +.
e. Of time, before: Amos 1:1: לפני הָָֽ רעַשׁ before the earthquake, Gen 29:26; Gen 30:30 לְפָנַי before me (i.e. before I came to thee), Exod 10:14 לפניו לא היה כן before it there was not the like, Num 13:22; 1Kgs 16:25; 1Kgs 16:30 מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר לְפָנָיו, Isa 43:10; Isa 48:7; Prov 8:25; Job 15:7 etc. Sq. infinitive, Gen 13:10 ׳לִפְנֵי שַׁחֵת י before ׳י's destroying, etc., Gen 27:7 לִפְנֵי מוֺתִי, Gen 36:31; 1Sam 9:15 +. Once, in late Hebrew, לִפְנֵי מִזֶּה before this Neh 13:4. feminine In the manner of, like (rare and dubious), 1Sam 1:16 אַלתִּֿתֵּן אֶתאֲֿמָֽתְךָ לִפְנֵי בַתבִּֿלִיַּעַל like a worthless woman, Job 3:24 like my food, Job 4:19 they are crushed like the moth (compare Lat pro).

5. מִלִּפְנֵי₇₃ from before: —
a. from the presence of (properly, from a position before a person or object: to be distinguished from מִפְּנֵי; see 6):
(a) Gen 41:46 ׳ויצא יוסף מִלִּפְנֵי פ from before Pharaoh, Gen 47:10; 2Kgs 5:27; 2Kgs 6:32 +; ׳י ׳מל Gen 4:6 Cain went forth from before ׳י, Jonah 1:3; Jonah 1:10 specifically of the sanctuary, Lev 9:24 ׳ותצא אשׁ מלפני י (so Lev 10:2), קֶצֶף Num 17:11 (compare 2Chr 19:2), with לָקַח etc. Lev 16:12; Num 17:24; Num 20:9, 1Sam 21:7 the shew-bread that was removed from before ׳י; from before a place 1Kgs 8:54; Ezra 10:6; 2Chr 1:13,
(b) of taking, etc., from before a person, Gen 23:4 to bury my dead from before me, vGen 23:8; Exod 36:3; Deut 17:18 ׳וכתב לו מִשְׁנֵה התורה הזאת מל הכהנים from (the copy) before the priests, Deut 28:31 גָּזוּכ מלפניך.
(c) with בקשׁ Esth 4:8 [compare מִןקֳדָם Dan 2:18]; and to express the idea of proceeding from a person, Esth 1:19 [compare Dan 2:15], Eccl 10:5; 1Chr 29:12 הָעשֶׁר והכבוד מלפניך (compare Acts 3:19); Ps 17:2 מלפניך. יֵצֵא משׁפטי.
(d) of cutting off, etc., from before ׳י (compare לִפְנֵי a b, c), Lev 22:3; 1Kgs 8:25 לֹאיִֿכָּרֵת לְךָ אִישׁ, מִלְּפָנִי Jer 31:36; Jer 33:18; Isa 48:19: Ps 51:13 אַלתַּֿשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנְיךָ (compare 8 a); Jer 16:17 לֹא נִסְתְּרוּ מִלְּפָנַי, Jer 18:23; Neh 3:37.
(e) of expelling from before an invader, Exod 23:28; Deut 9:4; Deut 11:23; Deut 31:3 + (but much less common than מִפְּנֵי).
b. (Chiefly late) to express the source or cause, with the force of the לְ weakened, in cases where the earlier language would have used מִפְּנֵי: with verbs of fearing, 1Sam 18:12; Eccl 3:14; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13; 1Chr 16:30 חִילִי מִלְּפָנָיו [|| Ps 96:9 מפניו], Ps 114:7 (twice in verse); Esth 7:6; 2Chr 32:7 ( + מפני); failing, etc., Isa 57:16; Ps 97:5 being humbled, 1Kgs 21:29 ( + מפני), 2Chr 32:12; 2Chr 32:23; 2Chr 34:27 [|| 2Kgs 22:19 מפני], 2Kgs 36:12 crying for help 1Sam 8:18 [compare מפני Exod 3:7], singing 1Chr 16:33 [|| Ps 96:13 לפני], fleeing 1Chr 19:18 [|| 2Sam 10:18 מִפְּנֵי].
c. of time, once, = לִפְנֵי Eccl 1:10. — With the later usages of ׳מל, compare מִן קֳדָם in Biblical Aramaic and ᵑ7 (Dr Sm^{lxx-lxxi, lxxiii}); see also Kö^{ii. 320.}

6. מִפְּנֵי from the face or presence of, from before, Exod 14:19 וַיִּסַּע עמוד הענן מִפְּנֵיהֶם removecl from before them, Isa 30:11; Hos 11:2 so
a. (often with suggestion of causation (see מִן 2 d, e, f), because of, for fear of [so AV RV Judg 9:21; 1Sam 21:11; 1Sam 23:26; (twice in verse); Jer 37:11; Jer 41:9; Jer 50:16]) after verbs of hiding Gen 3:8; Gen 4:14; Isa 2:10 (compare vIsa 2:19 vIsa 2:21); and especially of escaping, Judg 9:21 (Thes 'bene ᵑ9 ob metum A.'), 1Sam 18:11; 1Sam 19:10; 1Sam 23:26, or fleeing, Exod 4:3; Exod 14:25; 1Sam 17:24 + often (see בָּרַךְ and נוּס), and expelling, destroying, etc. Exod 23:30 אֲגָָֽרְשֶׁנּוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ I will expel them from before thee, Exod 34:11; Exod 34:24 אוֺרִישׁ גּוֺיִם מִפָּנֶיךָ (see הוֺרִישׁ), Lev 18:24; Deut 8:20; Amos 2:9; Ps 89:24 + often (as though clearing the way for Israel, for Israel's sake: compare Isa 63:12 בּוֺקֵעַ מַיִס מִפְּנֵיהֶם, Josh 2:10; Josh 4:23). Pregn. Isa 17:9 ׳כַּעֲזוּבַת ֗֗֗ אשׁר עזבו מפני בני ישׂר which they forsook (fleeing) from before, etc.
b. implying causation more distinctly. Ps 9:4 יאבדו מפניך perish from before thee or at the presence, Deut 7:20: very often with verbs of fearing, as גור, יגר, חיל, ירא, ערץ, פחד, קוץ Exod 9:30; Num 22:3 (twice in verse); Deut 1:17; Jer 5:22 etc. (mostly when the object inspiring fear is a person: when it is a thing, מִן alone is preferred; but see Deut 5:5; Deut 9:19); of being alarmed or dismayed Gen 45:3; Josh 2:9; Jer 1:17; Job 23:15, etc.; of humbling oneself Exod 10:3; Judg 11:33 +; with other words, to indicate the external ground of an action or effect, as הַס מִפָּנָיו be silent at (i.e. because of) his presence Zeph 1:7; Hab 2:20; Judg 5:5 the mountains flowed ׳מפני י at the presence of ׳י, Isa 63:19; Jer 4:26; Nah 1:5; Ps 68:3 as wax melteth מפני אשׁ; Deut 20:19; Isa 19:1; Isa 26:17 כן היינו מפניך so were we through thy presence (more than לפניך, — implying that their state was due to ׳י); קום מפני to rise up at the presence of Gen 31:35; Lev 19:32. (

N.B. In a, b, frequently rendered before in AV RV, and so confused with לפני; but the מִן retains always its full force in the Hebrew)
c. of the cause, whether nearer or more remote:
(a) Gen 6:13 מָֽלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם because of them (i.e. occasioned by them), Gen 27:4 I loathe my life because of the daughters of Heth, Gen 36:7 the land could not support them because of their cattle, Gen 41:31; Gen 47:13; Exod 3:7 their cry by reason of their taskmasters, Exod 8:20 תִּשָּׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי הֶעָרֹב, Exod 9:11; Josh 2:11; Josh 23:3; Judg 2:18; Judg 6:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 8:11 + often; Isa 10:27 (RVm), Jer 15:17; Ps 38:4; Ps 38:6, etc.; Jer 4:4 + מִפְּנֵי רֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם by reason of the evil of your doings, Jer 7:12; Jer 9:6; Jer 13:17; Jer 14:16; Jer 23:9 + often
(b) stating the reason for which a thing is not done (Latin prae,), 1Kgs 8:11; Job 37:19.
(c) with אֲשֶׁר as a conjunction, twice, because that, Exod 19:18; Jer 44:23. — Num 33:8 see פִּי הַחִירֹת.

7. עַלפְּֿנֵי (compare Phoenician עַל פְּנֵ, עלת פְּנֵ, Lzb³⁵²) has different meanings according to the different senses of the noun and the preposition: —
a. From the sense of face or front:
(a) in front of (more definite and distinct than לפני): Ps 18:43 as dust before the wind (compare לפני Ps 35:5; Ps 83:14 +), Gen 32:22 the present passed on עלפֿניו in front of him, Exod 33:19 אעביר כלטֿוּבי עלפֿניך,2Sam 15:18; 2Sam 15:23 (read עלפֿניו: see Dr), Job 4:15 = in the sight of, Lev 10:3 ועלפֿני כל העם אֶכָּבֵד, Jer 6:7 עַלפָּֿנַי תָּמִיד חֳלִי וּמַכָּה, Jer 13:26 (compare Nah 3:5), Ps 9:20 יִשָּֽׁפְטוּ גוים עלפֿניך before thee: defiantly, Job 1:11 אםלֿא עלֿ פניך יְבָֽרְכֶךָּ will renounce thee to thy face, Job 6:28 ועלפֿניכם אם אֲכַוֵּב, Job 21:31 to die in the presence of any one ( = in his lifetime) Gen 11:28; Num 3:4.
(b) before, to the exclusion of another, i.e. in preference to, Deut 21:16, and perhaps(Ew^{§ 217} l) Exod 20:3 (Deut 5:7) לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים עלפֿני (Thes and others as c).
(c) in addition to, Job 16:14 פֶּרֶץעַלפְּֿנֵיפֶֿרֶץ יִפְרְצֵנִי.
(d) of localities, in front of, mostly (but not always: see GFM^{Ju., p. 351}) = east of, 1Kgs 6:3 the porch in front of, etc., v1Kgs 6:3; 1Kgs 7:6; 1Kgs 8:8; 2Chr 3:17; Ezek 42:8; Gen 16:12 עלפֿני כלאֿחיו ישׁכן (compare Gen 25:18 b), perhaps (Di and others) with collateral idea of defiance; מַמְרֵא ׳עַלפֿ Gen 23:19 (Gen 50:13), Exod 16:14 often in אשׁר עלפֿני ֗֗֗ Gen 25:9 (Gen 49:30), מצרים vGen 49:18 a (Josh 13:3; 1Sam 15:7), Num 21:11; Num 33:7 a, ירחו Deut 32:49 (Deut 34:1), Josh 13:3; Josh 13:25; Josh 15:8 (Josh 18:16), Josh 17:7; Josh 18:14; Josh 19:11; Judg 16:3; 1Sam 24:3 (probably), 1Sam 26:1; 1Sam 26:3; 2Sam 2:24; 1Kgs 11:7 (the Mt. of Olives, east of Jews.; so 2Kgs 23:13; Zech 14:4), Zech 17:3; Zech 17:5. — Gen 1:20 let fowl fly עלפֿני רקיע השׁמים in front of the firmament of heaven, namely as looked up to from below, i.e. between the firmament and the earth. (ε) with verbs implying direction, over towardas, Gen 18:16 וישׁקף עלפֿני סדם, Gen 19:28; Num 21:20 (Num 23:28) נשׁקפה עלפֿני הישׁימן overlooking; to sprinkle against the front of Lev 16:14 in a hostile sense (rare), Nah 2:2 עָלָה מֵפִיץ עַלפָּֿנַיִךְ, Ps 21:13; Ezek 32:10.

b. From the sense of surface, Gen 1:2 עלפֿני תהום upon the face of the deep, Exod 16:14 ׳המדבר עלפֿ: often in the phrases עלפֿני (כל) הארץ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3 +, and (more frequently) עלפֿני האדמה on the face of the ground Gen 6:1; Gen 7:23 etc.; על פני השׂדה Lev 17:5; Num 19:16; 1Sam 14:25 +; after verbs of motion, 1Sam 11:4 lest we be scattered over the face of all the earth, v1Sam 11:8 v1Sam 11:9; Exod 32:20; Lev 14:7 (Lev 14:53 אל), Isa 18:2; Isa 19:8; Amos 5:8; Ezek 32:4; Job 5:10 +.

8. מֵעַלפְּֿנֵי
a. from before the face of, Gen 23:3 Abraham rose up מֵעַל פְּנֵי מֵתוֺ from before his dead, i.e. from mourning before or beside it; Psalms (פניו) מֵעַל פני from before my (his) face, often in Kings & Jeremiah of the rejection of Israel or the temple, as with שִׁלַּת 1Kgs 9:7 (|| 2Chr 7:20 השׁליך), Jer 15:1, השׁליד 2Kgs 13:23; 2Kgs 24:20 (Jer 52:3), Jer 7:15, נטשׁ Jer 23:39, הסיר 2Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 23:27; 2Kgs 24:3; Jer 32:31.
b. from of the surface of, often in the phrase מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, with verbs of cutting off, removing, expelling, etc., Psalms; Gen 4:14; Gen 6:7; Gen 7:4; Gen 8:8; Exod 32:12; Deut 6:15; 1Sam 20:15; 1Kgs 9:7; 1Kgs 13:34; Amos 9:8; Jer 28:16; Zeph 1:2; Zeph 1:3.

BDB6683 H3942 H6440

לִפְנָ֑י 1Kgs 6:17, Ew^{§ 164 a} Ke as adjective, anterior, but read, with ᵐ5, לִפְנֵי הַדְּבִיד Th Sta Kit and others

Strong's Definition H6440

before, face, presence, because, faces, …

pānîm

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)

face

face, faces

before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Variations 126 forms of this word

Translations 381 English renderings

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Word Parts

הַ מֶּ֔לֶךְ

הַ

Prefix — article the

מֶּ֔לֶךְ

Root word king, kings, royal

Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Td/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

הַ	Speech Particle Type Definite Article
מֶּלֶךְ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: the king

the king ×712 king ×501 and the king ×198 the kings ×192 of the kings ×104 of the king ×98 kings ×64 and king ×33

More options

king — Most natural modern equivalent; universally understood.

monarch — Formal register; suits literary or elevated prose.

ruler — Broader term; useful when royal rank is less central.

sovereign — Emphasizes supreme authority; good in legal or theological contexts.

royal — Adjectival use; fits compound nouns like 'royal court'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4669 H4428 H4429

I. מֶ֫לֶךְ₂₅₁₃ noun masculine king (Late Hebrew id.; MI^{1, 5, 10, 18, 23} מלך; Neh 1:4 המלכן; Phoenician מלך; Zinjirli מלך DHM^{Sendsch. 60}; Assyrian maliku, malku, prince (Assyrian šarru = king); Arabic king (original Hebrew *מַלִח inferred, Lag^{BN 73} Ba^{NB § 112} WMM^{As. u. Europ.76}); Sabean מלכן SabDenkm^{No. 1}; construct מלך, plural אמלך CIS^{iv 37}; compare Ethiopic God (and Nö^l.c.); Aramaic , מְלֵיךְ; Palmyrene מלך מלכא Vog^{No. 28}; Nabataean מלכא Eut^{Nab. 1}); — ׳מ absolute Gen 14:7 + (insert also 2Sam 13:17 ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu, and v2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu); in p. always מֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 49:20 + 238 t. (so also proper name in מֶלֶךְ-); construct Gen 14:1 +; suffix מַלְכִּי 2Sam 19:44 + 6 t., etc.; plural מְלָכִים Gen 14:9 +; מְלָכִין Prov 31:3 construct מַלְכֵי Gen 17:16 +; suffix מְלָכֶיהָ Isa 7:16 + 3 t.; מַלְכֵיהֶם Deut 7:24 + 16 t., etc.; —

1. king: of Egypt Gen 39:20f.; Exod 1:8f.; Deut 11:3; 1Kgs 3:1 of Mesopotamia, Shinar, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc. Judg 3:8; Judg 3:10; Gen 14:1f.; 2Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:3f.; 2Kgs 18:13f.; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:11f.; Ezra 1:1f.; Ezra 4:3f.; Esth 1:2 +, 1Kgs 11:18; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 14:25; 2Kgs 17:4f.; 2Kgs 23:29 +; of Canaan, Philistia, Edom, Moab, etc. (often of single city): Gen 14:2f.; vGen 14:18; Gen 20:2; Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8; Gen 36:31; Num 20:14; Num 21:1f.; Num 22:4; Num 22:10; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:1f.; Josh 2:2 (often in Joshua), Judg 1:7; Judg 5:19; Judg 8:5; Judg 8:12; Judg 11:12f.; 2Kgs 3:4f. +; of Aram, Hamath, etc. 2Sam 8:3f. v2Sam 8:9; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 20:1f.; 1Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 5:1f.; 2Kgs 8:7f.; v2Kgs 8:29; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Kgs 9:15; 2Kgs 15:37; 2Kgs 16:5f. +; of Tyre, etc. 2Sam 5:11; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:11; 1Kgs 9:16+, etc.; especially of Israel (undivided, and of both divisions) Gen 36:31; Num 23:21; Num 24:7; Deut 17:14f.; Judg 17:6; Judg 18:1; Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Sam 8:5f.; 2Sam 2:4f.; 1Kgs 1:33; 1Kgs 1:34f. + very often; compare also Judg 9:5. — 2Sam 18:29b strike out ׳הַמּ We Klo Dr Kit Bu. Note that in early books המלך דוד is nearly always said; in late books usually המלך ׳שׁלמה וגו) דוד; compare Aramaic כּוֺרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא, etc.

2. of Davidic king, as under divine protection, 1Sam 2:10 (|| מְשִׁיחוֺ), Ps 2:6; Ps 18:51; Ps 89:19; Ps 61:7, compare Ps 99:4 so in (Messianic) prediction Hos 3:5; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 37:22; Ezek 37:24; Zech 9:9.

3. used of ׳י as king of Israel 1Sam 12:12 in poetry Deut 33:5 compare Ps 5:3; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:5; Ps 48:3; Ps 68:25; Ps 74:12; Ps 84:4; Ps 145:1; Ps 149:2; Isa 41:21; Isa 43:15; Isa 44:6; Zeph 3:15 מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד Ps 24:7; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:9; Ps 24:10 (twice in verse); universal king Ps 47:3; Ps 47:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 98:6; Jer 10:7; Jer 10:10, compare Jer 46:18; Jer 48:15; Jer 51:57; Zech 14:9; Zech 14:16; Zech 14:17; Mal 1:14 of false god Amos 5:26.

4. in fable, king of trees Judg 9:8; Judg 9:15 figurative of crocodile Job 41:26 אֵין לָאַרְבֶּה ׳מ Prov 30:27 of death, מֶלֶךְ בַּלָּהוֺת Job 18:14.

5. combinations are: —
a. הַגָּדוֺל ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:13 (of Assyrian king: compare Assyrian šarru rabu); גָּדוֺל ׳מ Eccl 9:14 (indefinite); of ׳י Mal 1:14, עַלכֿלאֿלהים ׳ג ׳מ Ps 95:3 ׳מ עוֺלָם Jer 10:10 (of ׳י); מְלָכִים ׳מ Ezek 26:7 (king of Babylon)
b. יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 מֶלֶךְ בירושׁלם Eccl 1:1, compare Eccl 15:26; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 1Chr 29:25; 2Sam 2:11 (׳בחברון עלהֿיה מ) 1Kgs 11:37; 2Chr 28:4; Eccl 1:12.
c. following a verb (one or two accusative) על ׳שִׂים מ Deut 17:14; Deut 17:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:19 ׳שִׂים לָנוּ מ 1Sam 8:5 ׳שִׂים לְמ 1Kgs 10:9 לְ ׳נָתַן מ 1Sam 8:6; Hos 13:10; Hos 13:11 נָתַן עַל 1Sam 12:13; 2Chr 2:10; Neh 9:37; Neh 13:26 הִמְלִיךְ לְמֶלֶךְ Judg 9:6; 1Sam 15:11 על ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 12:1 לְ ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 8:22 ׳מָשַׁח מ עַל Judg 9:8 ׳מָשַׁח לְמ 1Kgs 1:45 עַל ׳מָשַׁךְ לְמ Judg 9:15; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 15:17; 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 5:12; 2Sam 12:7; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Chr 11:3; 1Chr 14:8 יִהְיֶה על ׳מ 1Sam 8:19 על ׳בִּקֵּשׁ למ 2Sam 3:17 ׳הֵכִין לְמ על 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 על ׳הֵקִים מ 1Kgs 14:14; Deut 28:36 ׳תַּחַת וגו ׳לְמ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא י 1Chr 29:23, compare Prov 20:8 אלהיך ׳לְי ׳נָתַן עַלכִּֿסֵּא לְמ 2Chr 9:8.
d. מַעֲדַנֵּימֶֿלךְ Gen 49:20 royal dainties, figurative; ׳מִשְׁתֵּה הַמּ 1Sam 25:36 royal feast (in simile); ׳אֶבֶן הַמּ 2Sam 14:26 king's weight; ׳יַדהַֿמּ 1Kgs 10:13 royal bounty (in simile); ׳גִּזֵּי הַמּ Amos 7:1 king's mowings; ׳מִקְדַּשׁ מ Amos 7:13 royal sanctuary; עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם 2Sam 12:30 crown of their king = 1Chr 20:2 (but read מִלְכֹּם ᵐ5 We Klo Dr Kit Kau — not Bu Kit^Chr. Hpt); compare also בַּיִת, עֵמֶק, גַּן, שָׁוֵה, etc. — proper name אבימלך, אחימלך, אלימלך, מלך, נתן, מלך, עבד, see below אב, אח, etc.

BDB4674 H4432 H1322 H4428

מֹ֫לֶךְ proper name, of a divinity Molech (ᵐ5 Μολοχ, ᵑ9 Moloch) (= מֶלֶךְ i.e. (divine) King, with vowels of בּשֶׁת to denote abhorrence, Hoffm^{ZAW iii. 1883, 124} RS^{Semitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372}; compare Hoffm^{GG Abh. xxxvi. 1890 a (May, 1889), 25}; Phoenician proper name, of divinity מלך Milk, in proper names compare Bloch, Dr^{Dt.222 f.}); — with article ׳הַמּ: — the god to whom Israel sacrificed children with fire (in valley of Hinnom); ׳העביר בָּנֵשׁ לַ מּ 2Kgs 23:10 ׳העביר לַמּ Jer 32:35 (|| הַבַּעַל), Lev 18:21 (H); ׳נתן לַמּ Lev 20:2; Lev 20:3; Lev 20:4 (H); more generally ׳לִזְנוֺת אַחֲרֵי הַמּ vLev 20:5 (H). In 1Kgs 11:7 read probably מִלְכֹּם, q. v.

BDB4684 H4442 H6664 H4428

מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Gen 14:18. Ps 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ.

BDB4685 H4443 H4428 H7311

מַלְכִּירָם proper name, masculine son of Jeconiah (= Jehoiakin) (my king (= Yahweh) is high, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 146 f.}; Phoenician proper name מלכרם); — 1Chr 3:18. ᵐ5 Μελχ(ε)ιραμ.

BDB4686 H4428 H4444 H7769

מַלְכִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine son of Saul my king (= ׳י) is opulence, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 147}); — 1Sam 14:49; 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 10:2 (in Chronicles מַלְכִּישֿׁוּעַ). ᵐ5 Μελχεισα, Μελχεσουε, etc.

Strong's Definition H4428

king, kings, royal

melek

a king

king

Variations 82 forms of this word

Translations 267 English renderings

Hammelech Father of Jerahmeel and Malchijah (or 'Malchiah'), officials during Jeremiah's time. Kings King's Highway An ancient trade route through Edom and Moab King's Valley

Search every verse

Word Parts

וּ תְהִי

וּ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

תְהִי

Root word be, pass, was, were, came, …

Dictionary form: הָיָה · haw-YAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqj3fs

Verb — Qal, Jussive, third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" a wish or command — try "let him ___" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

וּ	Speech Conjunction
תְהִי	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Jussive Person Third Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

and it came to pass ×336 shall be ×333 was ×233 be ×174 came ×133 were ×117 and it shall come to pass ×97 and it shall be ×92

More options

be — Default copula; suits timeless or stative contexts.

become — Prefer when a change of state or transformation is implied.

happen — Fits narrative events; modernizes 'come to pass'.

occur — Formal register; good for reported events or incidents.

exist — Emphasizes being or presence rather than action.

take place — Idiomatic for scheduled or unfolding events.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

יהוה_{c. 6823} i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺה^C518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה₃₀₅ (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philo^{de Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529}), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare Bö^{§ 88}). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see Lag^{Sym i.14} Baud^{Studien i.179 ff.}; Dr^{Stud.Bib.i.1 ff.} For Jeve see Sta^{ZAW 1881, 346} De^{ib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.}

2. on literature of interpretations see Nes^Eg.67 Dr^{l.c. — Many recent scholars explain} יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, Nes^Eg.88 (but Nes^{Eg.91 inclines to Qal as} RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev} see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RS^{OTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245}, compare We^{Skizzen iii.175}; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, Sta^G.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876}, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ew^infr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Dr^l.c.17)).

**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by Bau^{Rel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230)}; Dl^{Pa 162 ff.} claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kue^{national Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.)} Jastr^{JBL xiil {1894}, 103 f.} compare Hpt^{BAS i. 170 N}; Dl^{Babel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f.} makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially Hirsch^{ZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff.} Zim^{KATS. 465 ff.}; Spiegelb^{ZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff.} proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in Kö^{EB NAMES, § 112 and n.3}. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to Schw^{ThLZ, 1905, col. 612}.

I. יהוה is not used by E in Genesis, but is given Exod 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb, and is explained thus : אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I shall be with thee (Exod 3:12), which is then implied in אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I shall be the one who will be it vExod 3:14a (i.e: with thee vExod 3:12) and then compressed into אֶהְיֶה vExod 3:14b (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12), which then is given in the nominal form יהוה He who will be it vExod 3:15 (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12). compare Ew^{BTh ii. 337, 338} RS^{l.c., Proph. 385 ff.} Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc Lag^{Psalt.Hieron.156}); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich We^JD Th xxi, 540 = compare Hexateuch 72); Di and others I am who I am, he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable, — E uses יהוה sparingly by the side of אלהים and האלהים in his subsequent narrative. The Ephraimitic writers in Judges Samuel Kings use it in similar proportions. P abstains from the use of יהוה until he gives an account of its revelation to Moses Exod 6:3 but subsequently uses it freely. He gives no explanation of its meaning. He represents that אֵל שַׁדַּי was the God of the patriarchs. J uses יהוה from the beginning of his narrative, possibly explaining it, Gen 21:83 by אל עולם, the evergreen tamarisk being a symbol of the ever-living God; compare De Gen 21:33. Elsewhere יהוה is the common divine name in pre-exilic writers, but in post-exilic writers gradually falls into disuse, and is supplanted by אלהים and אדני. In Job it is used 31 t. in prose parts, and Job 12:9 (a proverb); not elsewhere in the poem. Chronicles apart from his sources prefers אלהים and האלהים. Daniel uses יהוה only in chap. 9 (7 t.); Ecclesiastes not at all. In the Elohistic group of Psalm 42-83 it is used 39 t. (see אלהים) . It occurs as the name of Israel's God MI¹⁸. It is doubtful whether it was used by other branches of the Shemitic family, compare COT Gen 2:4b Dl^{Pa 158 ff.} Dr^{Stud. Bib. i. 7 ff}.

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D²); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D² 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D² 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by R^P as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ⅏; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & ⅏ from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ℌ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.

2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.

3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

Note. — Bonk^{ZAW 1891, 126 ff.} seems to shew that as prefix, in compare proper name, יְהוֺ is the oldest and the latest form and that יוֺ is intermediate, belonging to the earlier post-exilic period until the time of Chronicles; occasional copyists' mistakes being taken into the account.

BDB2145 H1961

הָיָה₃₅₇₀ verb fall out, come to pass, become, be (SI¹; SI⁶ היה, ib³ הית; parallel form of הוה, Arabic , Aramaic הֲוָא, ; see הָוָה above) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular הָיָה Gen 3:1 +; וְהָיָה consecutive Gen 4:14 +; 3 feminine singular הָֽיְתָה Gen 1:2 +; הָיָ֑תָה Isa 14:24 + 3 t.; וְהָֽיְתָה consecutive Gen 9:13 +; והית2Kgs 9:37 Kt (Qr וְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singular הָיִיתָ Deut 5:15 +; 1 singular הָיִיתִיGen 31:40 3 plural הָיוּ Gen 6:4 +; 2 masculine plural הֱיִיתֶ ם Exod 22:20 +; וִהְיִיתֶם consecutive Gen 3:5 +; 1 plural הָיִינוּIsa 1:9 +; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִהְיֶה Gen 1:29 +; jussive יְהִיGen 1:3 +; יֶהִ֑י Ezek 16:15 וִיהִיGen 1:6 +; וַיְהִי Gen 1:3 +; וַיֶּ֑הִי Ps 33:9; Ezek 16:19 3 feminine singular תִּהְיֶה Gen 21:30 +; 1 singular אֶהְיֶה Exod 3:12 +; וָאֶהְיֶה2Sam 7:6 + 9 t.; וָאֱהִי Judg 18:4 + 12 t.; 3 masculine plural יִהְיוּ Gen 6:19 +; 3 feminine plural תִּהְיֶינָהIsa 16:2 + 19 t.; תִּהְיֶין֣Gen 41:36 + 11 t.; וְתִהְיֶנָה Jer 18:21; Jer 48:6 וַתִּהְיֶינָה 2Sam 20:3 + 6 t.; וַתִּהְיֶיןָGen 26:35; 1Sam 25:43 וַתִּהְיֶנָה 1Chr 7:15 2 masculine plural תִהְיוּ Gen 34:15 +; תִהְיוּן Exod 22:20 1 plural נִהְיֶה Gen 38:23 +; וַנִּהְיֶה2Sam 11:23; Jer 44:17 וַנְּהִי Num 13:33; Isa 64:5, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הֱיֵה Exod 18:19 +; feminine singular הֲיִיGen 24:60 masculine plural הֱיוּExod 19:15; Num 16:16, וִהְיוּ 1Sam 4:9 + 6 t.; Infinitive absolute הָיוֺ Gen 18:18 + 3 t.; הָיֹה 1Kgs 13:32; Ezek 1:3 construct הֱיוֺת Gen 2:18 +, so read probably also for הֱיֵה Ezek 21:15 compare Sm Kö^{i. p. 600 f.} (Co em. היהלֿה to הָהֵל shine, glitter); with prefix בִּהְיוֺת Exod 5:13 +, בִּהְיֹת Exod 19:16 +; לִהְיוֺת Gen 10:8 +, לִהְיֹת Exod 23:1 +; suffix הֱיוֺתִי Jonah 4:2 הֱיוֺתְךָ Judg 18:19 (twice in verse); לִהְיֹתְךָ Deut 26:10, etc.; Participle feminine הוֺיָה Exod 9:3.

I. 1. a. Fall out, happen מֶההָֿיָה הַדָּבָר 1Sam 4:16 how has the matter fallen out, (gone, turned out) ? so 2Sam 1:4 מֶההָֿיָה לוֺ Exod 32:1; Exod 32:23 (both J E) what has happened to him? compare 1Sam 10:12 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ 1Sam 6:9 a chance it is that has befallen us; also וַיְהִילֿוֺ כֵּן 2Kgs 7:20 and so it happened to him, compare וַיְהִיכֵֿן below
b. occur, take place, come about, come to pass: — גְדוֺלָה הָֽיְתָה בָּעָם מַגֵּפָה 1Sam 4:17 a great slaughter has taken place among the people, compare 2Sam 17:9 וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיַעַר אֶפְרַיִם 2Sam 18:6 and the battle took place in the wood of Ephraim (on אפרים compare Klo Dr); Josh 22:17 (P; of plague); תְּהִי נָא אָלָה Gen 26:28 (J) let an oath take place (be taken) so Judg 21:5 compare 2Kgs 17:7 (si vera lectio), Ezek 16:34 especially late, 2Chr 29:36; 2Chr 32:31; Eccl 1:9; Eccl 1:10; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14 etc.; often of fulfilment of prediction, command, expectation, etc.: — כֵּן הָיָה Gen 41:3 (E) so it came to pass, 2Sam 13:25, וַיְהִיכֵֿן Judg 6:38; 2Kgs 15:12; Isa 29:5, & especially וַיְהִיכֵֿן Gen 1:7; Gen 1:9; Gen 1:11; Gen 1:15; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (all P) +; יְהִי כִדְבָרֶ֑ךָ Gen 30:34 let it be as thou sayest, Zech 6:15, see also לֹא תָקוּם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה Isa 7:7 it shall not arise (be realized) & shall not come about, Isa 14:34 (so often בּוֺא q. v. 2 c, p. 98 above)

2. especially & very often, come about, come to pass followed by substantive (subject) clause almost always + modifying (usually temporal) clause or phrase:
a. ( I) וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.) followed by
(a) Imperfect consecutive: a. with Infinitive with כְּ temporal Gen 12:14; Gen 19:17 (both J) + 75 t. + Esth 3:4 Qr (Hexateuch chiefly J, — so always Genesis, — & J E; P only Exod 16:10, D only Deut 5:20; Deut 31:24; Josh 5:1; Josh 9:1 27 t. in Kings), — somewhat different is 2Kgs 7:18 β. with Infinitive with בְּ Gen 4:8; Gen 11:2 (both J) + 29 t. + Esth 3:4 Kt (in Hexateuch 10 t. J E; 3 t. P, Gen 19:29; Exod 34:29; Num 17:7 not in D); γ. with בְּ followed by temporal noun (יוֺם, בֹּקֶר, etc.) Gen 21:22 (E) Gen 26:32 (J) + 45 t. (Hes 14 t. J E; 3 t. P, Exod 6:28; Exod 16:13; Num 7:1 not D); δ. לְ temporal 1Sam 1:20; 2Sam 13:23; 1Kgs 20:26; 1Chr 20:1 ε. כְּ temporal Gen 39:11; 1Sam 25:38 ζ. מִן temporal namely: מֵאָז Gen 39:5, מִיּוֺם 1Sam 7:2 compare 1Sam 30:25, מִיָּמִים Judg 11:4; Judg 15:1, מִקֵּץ Gen 4:3; Gen 8:6 + 6 t., מִקְצֵה Josh 3:2; 2Kgs 8:3; Ezek 3:16, especially מִמָּחֳרָת Gen 19:34; Exod 18:13 + 11 t.; η. כַּאֲשֶׁר temporal Gen 12:11 (J) Gen 20:13 (E) + 31 t. (Hexateuch 13 t. J E, Deut 2:16, not P), characteristic of Nehemiah's memoris, Neh 3:33; Neh 4:1; Neh 4:6; Neh 4:9; Neh 6:1; Neh 6:16; Neh 7:1; Neh 13:19 θ. with כִּי temporal Gen 6:1 (J) Exod 3:21 (E) + 14 t. + Judg 16:25 Kt; ι. אַחֲרֵי temporal Gen 22:20 (J) + 13 t., אַחַר Gen 39:7; Job 42:7, אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן Judg 16:14 + 6 t.; κ. followed by עַד temporal 1Sam 14:19 (on which compare Dr); compare עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה 1Kgs 18:45 λ. with combinations; as בְּ with temporal noun + בְּ Infinitive Gen 34:25; Exod 19:16; 1Sam 25:37 בְּ Infinitive + כְּ Infinitive Josh 3:14 double preposition כְּמִשְּׁלשׁ חֳדָשִׁים Gen 38:24 מִקְצֵה + אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר Josh 9:16 מִיָּמִים + id. Josh 23:1 μ. other unusual constructions under this head are: those where temporal idea is expressed by a circumstantial clause Isa 22:7; 1Kgs 13:20; 2Kgs 8:21 (Dr^{§ 165, &} Οβς.) = 2Chr 21:9 those with indefinite כֹּל 1Sam 10:11; 2Sam 2:23; 2Sam 15:2, or with participle = rel. clause 1Sam 11:1 (on all see Dr^{§ 78 n.} & Sm); quite unique is 1Kgs 16:31, with הֲנָקֵל ׳לָכְתּוֺ וגוin place of temporal clause
(b) וַיְהִי sometimes followed by simple Perfect, with a negative Gen 39:10 (with כְּ Infinitive), Exod 13:17 (with בְּ Infinitive) 2Kgs 12:7; 2Kgs 17:25 (both with בְּ temporal); & without negative, Gen 8:13 (P) Gen 14:1 +, usually with בְּ temporal (38 t.), Hexateuch chiefly P; rarely with other preposition & adverb as above; note especially מִדֵּי followed by Infinitive 1Sam 18:30; 2Chr 12:11 sometimes the subject of following Perfect precedes it with וְ, as Gen 22:1; Gen 41:1; 1Sam 18:19; 1Sam 30:1; 2Kgs 2:9; 2Kgs 4:40 +; note especially 2Sam 17:27 where several subject & also several objects precede the Perfect (compare Dr); in these cases temporal modifier is occasionally a circumstantial clause 2Sam 13:30; 1Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 rarely subject precedes Perfect without וְ 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 21:1, compare subject preceding Participle without וְ Neh 4:10 in 2Chr 8:1 the object (with וְ) precedes what is apparently the principal verb
(c) וַיְהִי followed by וְהִנֵּה Gen 24:15 (J; טֶרֶם in temporal clause), Gen 29:25 (E), Gen 38:27 (J, both בְּ temporal) vGen 38:29 (כְּ Participle), 1Sam 13:10 (כְּ Infinitive); also 2Sam 1:2; 2Sam 13:36; 2Sam 15:32 (circumstantial clause) 2Kgs 2:11 (id.), 2Kgs 3:20; 2Kgs 13:21 (circumstantial clause).
(d) rarely וַיְהִי (in this sense) followed by other constructions: אָז יִתֵּן 1Kgs 9:10 (with מִקְצֵה); Imperfect frequentative 1Kgs 14:28 (with מִדֵּיבּֿאֹ), 2Kgs 4:8 (with מִדֵּי עָבְרוֺ) Jer 36:23 (with כְּ Infinitive); Perfect consecutive frequentative 2Chr 24:11 (with בְּ temporal). (2) rarely also Perfect with וְ conjunctive וְהָיָה (compare Dr^{§ 183}) followed by Imperfect consecutive as subject clause: 1Sam 1:12 (c. several circumstantial clause), 1Sam 10:9 (with כְּ Infinitive) 2Kgs 3:15 (id.), 1Sam 17:48 (with כִּי), Jer 37:11 (with בְּ Infinitive), Amos 7:2 (with אִם temporal); also Jer 3:9 (apparently with מִן causative, but obscure); 1Sam 13:22 (with בְּ temporal) is followed by וְלֹא & Perfect as well as Imperfect consecutive
b. less often וְהָיָה Perfect consecutive and it shall come to pass, or frequentative,came to pass (repeatedly, etc.) usually
(a) followed by simple Imperfect (c. 100 t.): a. with בְּ temporal Deut 21:16; Deut 25:19 + 37 t., (especially בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Hos 2:18; Hos 2:33; Isa 7:18; Isa 7:21; Isa 7:23 + 21 t.); β. with בְּ local Ezek 47:23; Zech 13:8 compare also Hos 2:1 (בִּמְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר, but perhaps = instead of, compare VB); γ. with indefinite rel. clause, or its equivalents (כֹּל indefinite, etc.), compare Dr^{§ 121}, Obs. 1: Gen 4:14; Num 17:20; Deut 12:11; Deut 18:19; Josh 7:14; Josh 7:15; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 2:36; 1Sam 17:25; 2Sam 15:35; 1Kgs 19:17; 1Kgs 20:6; Isa 4:3; Isa 24:18; Nah 3:7; Jer 27:8; Jer 42:4; Ezek 47:9; Zech 14:17; Joel 3:5 δ. with כַּאֲשֶׁר Num 33:56; Deut 28:63; Josh 23:15; Judg 7:17; Isa 29:8; Jer 31:28; Zech 8:13 ε. less often with other modifying phrase: כְּ Infinitive Exod 33:8; Exod 33:9 (both frequentative), Josh 3:13; Josh 8:8; Jer 25:12; Jer 51:63 בְּ Infinitive Gen 9:14 (P) 2Kgs 4:10; Ezek 44:17 אִם of condition Deut 20:11 (+ vDeut 20:11 Dr^{§ 118 n}.), also Josh 22:18, where the arrangement is peculiar, & the condition is expressed without אִם (compare Dr^{§ 155}); לְ temporal Deut 23:12 מִקֵּץ Isa 23:17 טֶרֶם Isa 65:24 מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֺ Isa 66:23, etc.
(b) וְהָיָה followed by Perfect consecutive (c. 85 t.): α. most often + clause with כִּי temporal Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33 (both J) Exod 1:10 (E) Deut 11:29; Isa 8:21 + 25 t.; β. with אִם Exod 4:8; Exod 4:9; Num 15:24; Deut 11:13 + 14 t.; also Gen 38:9; Num 21:9 (both frequentative); γ. with בְּ temporal Gen 30:41 (frequentative) Gen 47:24 (but compare Ol Di) Exod 16:5 + 11 t.; δ. with indefinite rel. clause or equivalent (Dr^{§ 121} Obs. 1): Gen 24:14; Num 10:32 (Dr^{§ 118 n}.) Num 21:18; Deut 21:3; Judg 11:31; Judg 19:30; Zech 14:16 ε. occasionally with other modifying phrase: כַּאֲשֶׁר Gen 27:40 +; כְּ Infinitive Gen 44:31 +; בְּ Infinitive Exod 33:22 +; מִקֵּץ 2Sam 14:26 עֵקֶב causative Deut 7:12 also
(c) followed by וְלֹא + simple Imperfect Exod 3:21 (with כִּי temporal).
(d) וְהָיָה followed by Imperative (very rare) Deut 6:10 (with כִּי temporal), 1Sam 10:7 (with כִּי), compare 1Sam 29:10, compare Perfect consecutive in command 1Sam 3:9 (with אִם).
(e) וְהָיָה followed by simple Perfect (also very rare) Deut 8:19 (with אִם).
(f) וְהָיָה followed by clause without verb: Gen 24:43; Josh 2:19; 1Kgs 18:24 (all with indefinite rel. modifier, or equivalents, see
(a) γ,
(b) δ, above).
(g) וְהָיָה (ו conjunctive) followed by Imperfect consecutive see
a.
(e) above

II. Come into being, become: —

1. a. absolute, in lively narrative, arise, appear, come וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָהExod 12:80 (J) and there arose a great cry in Egypt; וַיְהִיקֿוֺל Ezek 1:25 (strike out Co compare Da), Ezek 37:7 (strike out קוֺל ᵐ5 Co); כִּי הָֽיְתָה הָֽרְוָחָה Exod 8:11 (J) Pharaoh saw that respite had come; Mic 7:4 now shall come their confusion (|| בוא); also of concrete objects וְהָֽיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן Gen 9:16 (P) and the bow shall appear in the clouds (|| וְנִרְאֲתָה) וְרִמָּה לֹא הָֽיְתָה בּוֺ Exod 16:24 (P) and worms did not appear in it; of condition or action begun & continuing, as: famine Gen 12:10; Gen 26:1 (twice in verse) (all J), Gen 41:54 (E), Ruth 1:1; 2Sam 21:1; 2Kgs 6:25 strife Gen 13:7; Gen 13:8 (J), Hab 1:3 (|| מָדוֺן יִשָּׂא); often of action of the elements, as the coming of hail Exod 9:18; Exod 9:24; Exod 9:26 (all J), thunder & lighting, etc., Exod 19:16 (E), rain 1Kgs 18:45, storm Jonah 1:4 especially of creative fiats יְהִי אוֺר וַיְהִי אוֺר Gen 1:3 let light appear, and light appeared, compare vGen 1:5 vGen 1:8 vGen 1:13 vGen 1:19 vGen 1:23 vGen 1:31 (all P); also arise, come on the stage or scene, וְאַחֲרָיו הָיָה שַׁמְגַּר Judg 3:31 and after him arose Shamgar (= וַיָּקָם Judg 10:1); further וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה Gen 15:17 (JE) and darkness came on; הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה Exod 10:13 (J) the morning came, Exod 19:16 (E); וַיְהִי הַיּוֺם 1Sam 1:4 and the day came, when (see Dr), 1Sam 14:1; 2Kgs 4:8; 2Kgs 4:11; 2Kgs 4:18; Job 1:6; Job 1:18; Job 2:1.
b. followed by preposition: בְּ, וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ Gen 37:27 (J) but our hand, let it not come upon him, of hand of ׳יּ 1Sam 5:9; 1Sam 7:13; 1Sam 12:15 + (all in hostile sense); בְּכָלשֲֶֿֿׁר יֶשׁלֿוֺ ׳וַיְהִי בִּרְכַּת י Gen 39:5 (J) and the blessing of ׳י came into (on) all that he had; but also of plague Exod 12:13 (P); followed by עַל, וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַלהָֿאָרֶץ Gen 7:10 (J) that the waters of the flood came upon the earth; עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּ֑נָה Gen 42:36 (E) Gen 9:2 (P) fear shall come upon, compare Gen 35:25 (P) 2Chr 14:13; 2Chr 17:19; 2Chr 20:29 +; of wrath Josh 22:20; 1Kgs 3:27 so of Saul's evil spirit from God 1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 16:23; 1Sam 19:9 (אֶל); but followed by עַל also in good sense ׳וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ י conferring strength & efficiency Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29 (היה = צלח Judg 14:6 + often), compare Num 24:2 (JE) of prophetic power; (on ׳וַתְּהִי לָיו יַד י 2Kgs 3:15; Ezek 3:22 and the like, see יָד); יַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָֽיְתָה עָלֵינוּ Ezra 8:31, so Ps 80:18 even וַתְּהִי עַלרֿאֹשׁ דָּוִד 2Sam 12:30 and it (the crown, עֲטֶרֶת) came (i.e. was put, set) on David's head; with a different meaning וַנִּהְיֶה עֲלֵיהֶם עַדפֶּֿתַח הַשָּׁ֑עַר 2Sam 11:23 and we were close upon them even to the gateway (compare We Dr); come, go, follow (followed by אַחֲרֵי) i.e. take the side of, adhere to, Exod 23:2 (JE) 1Sam 12:14; 2Sam 2:10; 1Kgs 12:20; 1Kgs 16:21 followed by לְ of blessings Gen 49:26 (poem); of judgement, punishment Jer 40:3 especially ויהי דבר֗֗֗ אֶל and the word of ... came unto: word of Samuel 1Sam 4:1 usually word of God (or ׳י) Gen 15:1; 1Sam 15:10 +; constantly in prophets: Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1 etc.; especially Jeremiah & Ezekiel: Jer 1:4; Jer 1:11; Jer 1:13; Jer 2:1; Jer 13:8 +; Ezek 3:16; Ezek 6:1; Ezek 7:1; Ezek 11:14; Ezek 11:17; Ezek 11:21; Ezek 11:26; Ezek 12:1; Ezek 12:8 +; so also absolute הָיָה הַמַּשָּׂא הַזֶּה Isa 14:28 in the death-year of king Ahaz came this utterance; also followed by מִן; מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ Gen 17:16 (P), וּקְהַל גּוֺיִם יִהְיֶה מִמֶּ֑ךָּ Gen 35:11 (P), וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֺ מִמֶּנּוּ Jer 30:21 (|| מִקִּרְבּוֺ יֵצֵא); הַכֹּל הָיָה מִןהֶֿעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל הֶעָפָר Eccl 3:20 all came from the dust, & all return unto the dust; וַיְהִי קֶצֶף גָּדוֺל מֵאֵת צְבָאוֺת ׳י Zech 7:12.

2. become :
a. followed by predicate noun (to be viewed as implicit accusative Dr^{§ 161, 3 n.}, according to the Arabic usage W^{AG ii, § 41. 44. 74}): הִוא הָֽיְתָה אֵם כָּלחָֿ֑י Gen 3:20 (J) it was she that became the mother of all living; וַיְהִי הֶבֶל רֹעֵה צאֹן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָהGen 4:2 (J) and Abel became a shepherd of flocks, while Cain became a tiller of ground; 2Sam 8:14; Mic 2:11 + often
b. followed by predicate adjective Gen 38:7; Exod 36:13 +; compare Gen 37:20 let us see what his dream will become (turn out to be, signify);
c. become like (כְּ), וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹהִים Gen 3:5 and ye shall become like gods compare vGen 3:22, Num 11:1 (JE), Hos 2:1; Hos 7:11; Isa 9:18; 1Kgs 7:8; Zech 9:7 +; compare Gen 15:5 so (כֹּה) shall thy seed become; specifically of likeness in punishment Isa 1:9; 1Sam 17:36 +; also with כְּ repeated וְהָיָה כָעָם כַּכֹּהֵן Hos 4:9 and the people shall become like the priest (literally, and the like of the people shall become the like of the priest), so especially Isa 24:2 (6 pairs of words as above); וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע Gen 18:25 (J), see כְּ. b + c Gen 27:32 his hands had become like the hands of Esau his brother, hairy.
d. followed by predicate + לְ person וּתְהִי אִשָּׁה לְבֶןאֲֿדֹנֶיךָ Gen 24:51 (J) and let her become wife to the son of thy lord, 1Sam 16:21; 1Kgs 11:25; Ps 89:42; 1Chr 18:6 +; = be instituted, estanblished, וְהָיָה לָהֶםחָקעֿוֺלָם Exod 30:21 (P) and it shall be established for them as a perpetual ordinance (compare f below).
e. followed by לְ predicate: וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 2:7 (J) and the man became a living soul; וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁיםGen 2:10 (J) and it became four heads; גַּםהֿוּא יִהְיֶהלְֿעָם Gen 48:19 (J) he too shall become a people; וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים 1Sam 4:9 and become (shew yourselves to be) men (|| הִתְחַזְּקוּ; compare with double לְ, f below); Zeph 1:13; Ezek 17:6; Ezek 47:12; Job 16:8 עלמֶלֶךְ עַלכָּֿלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳וְהָיָה י Zech 14:9 וַיְהִי לְמַס עֹבֵד Gen 49:15; Josh 16:10 so often; also in sense of turn into, be changed so as to become, וַיְהִי לְנָחָשׁExod 4:3 and it became a serpent, vExod 4:4; Exod 7:10; Isa 1:22; Deut 26:5 +; figurative וַיְהִי לְמָ֑יִם Josh 7:5 and it (their heart) turned to water, so וְהוּא הָיָה לְאֶבֶן 1Sam 25:37 or, serve as וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֺרֹת Gen 1:15 (P) and they shall become (fulfil the function of, serve as) luminaries, compare vGen 1:14 וְהָיָה לְאוֺת בְּרִית Gen 9:13; Gen 17:11 (both P). feminine often with לְ predicate + לְ person: וַתְּהִי לָהֶם הַלְּבֵנָה לְאָ֑בֶןGen 11:3 (J) and the bricks became (served as) stone for them; וַתְּהִי לִי לְאִשָּׁה Gen 20:12 (E) compare Gen 24:67 (J) +, וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה וְחָגְלָה ֗֗֗ לַבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים Num 36:11 וְהָיָה לְךָ וְלָהֶם לְאָכְלָה Num 6:21 (P), Exod 2:10; Exod 15:2; Judg 8:27 לִי לֵאלֹהִים ׳וְהָיָה י Gen 28:21 (E); אֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לוֺ לְאָב וְהוּא יִהְיֶהלִֿי לְבֵן 1Chr 17:3 +; = shew or prove oneself as הֱיֵהלִֿי לְבֶןחַֿיִל 1Sam 18:17 shew thyself for me a valiant man (compare 1Sam 4:9 e above); = be instituted, established (compare e above) וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָקעֿוֺלָם Exod 29:28 and it shall be instituted for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual ordinance; compare vExod 29:9; Lev 10:15 וְהָֽיְתָה לִהְיֹת לָהֶם מָשְׁחָתָם לִכְהֻנַּת עוֺלָם לְדֹרֹתָם Exod 40:15 (all P).
g. with עַל and לְ 1Sam 22:2 וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר and he became over them prince.
h. sometimes with לְ person only = become the property of, come into the possession of ׳וַיְהִילֿוֺ צאֹןוּֿבָקָר וְגו Gen 12:15 (J), and he came to have flocks and herds etc., Gen 26:14; Gen 30:43 לֹא לוֺ יִהְיֶה הַזָּ֑רַע Gen 38:9 not his should the seed become; ׳וְהָיָה לי Judg 11:31 it shall become Yah-weh's; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:29; 1Kgs 10:26; 1Kgs 11:3 + often; so of a woman, as wife תְּהִינָֿא לְךָ Judg 15:2 pray let her become thine, compare also וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֺן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ Judg 14:20, Hos 3:3; Ruth 1:13; Lev 21:3; Deut 24:2; Jer 3:1; Ezek 16:8 (and also + לְאִשָּׁה, לְנָשִׁים see f above)III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —

1. exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence), כָּלהַֿיּמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה 1Sam 1:28 all the days which he shall have been (lived, = חַי Gen 5:5 etc., Dr^Sm), Job 3:16; Isa 23:13 often with בְּ local וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ Gen 2:5 (J) and there was not yet in the earth any shrub of the field; ׳וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא הָיָה אִישׁ וגו Num 26:64 (P) and among them there was not a man to be found, etc.; also וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֺם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו Josh 10:14 (JE) & there hath not been a day like that before it nor since. compare 2Sam 14:25; 2Sam 1:5; 2Sam 21:25; 2Sam 23:25; +; somewhat weaker, in the frequently introductory clause וַיְהִי אִישׁ now there was a man Judg 13:2; 1Sam 1:1; 1Sam 9:1; Num 9:6 (P), Job 1:1 +; on אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה Exod 3:14 see יהוֺה.

2. abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) וַיְהִי משֶׁה בָּהָר Exod 24:18 and Moses remainded in the mount forty days, etc., so Exod 34:28 (both J E), Judg 17:4; Judg 17:12; 1Sam 6:1; 1Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 11:3 = 2Chr 22:12 +; also Lev 22:27; Lev 25:28 (both H), etc.; followed by עַד temporal remain until Deut 22:2; 1Kgs 11:40; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Chr 5:9; 2Chr 26:21; Dan 1:21 etc.; compare הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֺלָם Eccl 3:14 so also of space followed by עַד extend unto, as far as, Josh 19:10: of net beneath altar, Exod 27:5 shall reach as far as (עַד) the middle of the altar.

3. with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated stand, lie; בִּהְיוֺתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה Gen 4:8 (J) when they were in the field, הַמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁרהָֿיָה שָׁם אָהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה Gen 13:3 (J) the place where his tent had stood at first; וְהָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה לִפְנֵיכֶם Gen 34:10 and the land, it lieth before you; compare Josh 19:1; Judg 7:1; Judg 7:8; Mic 5:6; Mic 5:7 followed by עַל be, be found or situated upon Isa 30:25 and there shall be upon every high mountain etc., streams, water-courses; Ezek 37:27 and my dwelling-place shall be over them; figurative of guilt דָּמִים וְהָיָה עָלָיךָ Deut 19:10 and blood (-guilt) be upon thee.

4. as copula, joining subject & predicate: —
a. followed by predicate adjective וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים Gen 2:25, וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם Gen 3:1, בִּהְיוֺתָם כֹּאֲבִים Gen 34:25, וַיְהִי יוֺסֵף יְפֵהתֹֿאַר Gen 39:6; Deut 23:15; Josh 19:9; Judg 11:1; Job 1:1; Job 1:3b 2Chr 7:21.
b. followed by predicate noun Gen 1:2; Gen 9:18; Gen 25:3; Gen 36:14; Gen 40:13; 1Sam 17:34; 1Sam 17:42; 2Sam 8:10; 2Sam 20:25; 1Kgs 10:6; 2Kgs 3:4; 2Kgs 5:1 (twice in verse); 1Chr 9:20; 1Chr 11:20; 1Chr 18:10; 1Chr 26:10; 2Chr 13:7 כִּי לֹאהָֿיָה מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל 2Chr 18:32 (|| 1Kgs 22:33 כִּילֹֿאמֶֿלֶךְ ישׂראל הוּא) +; often of age: וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּןתִּֿשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים Gen 17:1 (P) 2Kgs 8:17; 2Kgs 14:2; 2Kgs 15:2; 2Kgs 15:33; 2Kgs 18:2; 2Chr 21:20; 2Chr 27:8 +; followed by predicate Infinitive absolute (very anomal.) וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֺךְ וְחָסוֺר Gen 8:5 = amount to, come to, in enumeration of days of life number of people, amounts of money, etc.: Gen 5:4; Gen 5:5; Gen 5:8; Gen 5:11; Gen 5:14; Gen 9:29; Gen 11:32; Gen 23:1 +; Exod 38:24; Num 1:46, etc.
c. followed by adverb & adverbial phrase: לֹאטֿוֺב הֱיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֺGen 2:18 (J) it is not good that the man be alone; חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַה כַּנָּשִׁים Gen 18:11 (J).
d. followed by preposition: (a) be with, accompany with עִם, subject most often ׳י or אלהים with added idea of protection, aid Gen 26:3; Gen 31:3; Gen 39:10; Gen 48:21; Josh 1:3; Josh 6:27; Judg 1:19; Judg 2:18; 1Sam 3:19; 1Sam 18:12; 1Sam 20:13; 1Kgs 1:37; 1Chr 11:13; 2Chr 17:3 followed by עִמָּדִי Gen 28:20; Gen 31:5; Gen 35:3 followed by עִם, human subject, of accompaniment וְהָיָההַכֹּהֵןבֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן עִםהַֿלְוִיִּם Neh 10:39; 1Chr 11:12, read also in || 2Sam 23:9 (Th We Dr); = be on the side of 1Kgs 1:8 with עִם also = be near הָיָה עִםגֹּֿרֶן האורנה ׳וּמַלְאַךְ י 2Sam 24:16 (compare Dr); also 2Sam 13:20 implying sexual intercourse, so Gen 39:10 (perhaps gloss, compare Di); peculiar uses with עִם are: וּדְבַראַֿבְנֵר הָיָה עִםזִֿקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 2Sam 3:17 and the speech of A. had been with the elders of Israel, compare 1Kgs 1:7 וַיְהִי עִםלְֿבַב דָּוִד אָבִּי לִבְנוֺת 1Kgs 8:17 and it was with (i.e. in) the heart of David my father to build, = 2Chr 6:7 compare 1Kgs 8:18 (twice in verse); 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 6:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:4 also 1Kgs 10:2 = 2Chr 9:1
(b) be with, followed by אֶת, subject ׳י, אלהים, Gen 21:20; Gen 39:2; Gen 39:21 but also with human subject וּבָנָיוּ הָיוּ אֶתמִֿקְנֵהוּ Gen 34:5, compare 1Sam 29:8 +;
(c) followed by לְ of possessor כֶּרֶם הָיָה לִידִדִי Isa 5:1 all vineyard had my beloved, Gen 30:30 compare Exod 20:3 = Deut 5:7; Judg 18:27; 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 5:6 + often (compare I. 2 d, f, h);
(d) followed by לְ + other preposition: of boundary וַיְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל מֵעֲרוֺעֵרJosh 13:16, compare וַיְהִי גְבוּלָם מִמַּחֲנַיִם vJosh 13:30 וַוְהִי לָהֶם הַגְּבוּל לִפְאַת צָפנַָה מִיַּרְדֵּן Josh 18:12, etc.;
(e) followed by בְּ be among, or of, Amos 1:1 who was one of the herdsmen, 1Kgs 2:7 let them be among those eating, Prov 22:26; Prov 23:20.

5. periphrastic conjug.:
a. היה + participle, of continuous state, or condition, sometimes, especially late (compare Late Hebrew), of habit, with וַיְהִי also of beginning and continuance (compare Dr^{§ 135}, (5)): participle active Gen 39:22 (J), Exod 3:1 (E), 1Sam 2:11; 1Sam 7:10; 1Sam 18:9 (compare Dr) v1Sam 18:14 v1Sam 18:29; 2Sam 8:15 = 1Chr 18:14. Deut 28:29; Isa 30:20; 1Kgs 5:1; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 5:24; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Chr 9:26; Ezra 4:4; Neh 1:4; Neh 2:13; Dan 1:16 +; Gen 1:6 (P); ׳הָיָה יָרֵא אֶתיֿ 1Kgs 18:3; 2Kgs 4:1; 2Chr 26:1 passive participle Josh 10:26; 1Kgs 13:24; 1Kgs 22:35 וְהַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה מָעֳמָד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה (|| 2Chr 18:34 הָיָה מַעֲמִיד), Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1, וְהָיָה סָגוּר Ezek 44:2, נַעֲשֶׂה ׳ה Neh 5:18, ׳וְאָהוּב לֵאלֹהָיו ה Neh 13:26 — on 2Sam 13:32 compare Dr.
b. followed by Infinitive with לְ (Dr^{§ 208, 204}): וְהָיָה לְבָעֵר Isa 5:5 and it shall be to burn (is to be, is destined to be burned) etc.; לָבוֺא וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ Gen 15:12 and the sun was about to set; וַיְהִי הַשַּׁעַר לִסְגּוֺר Josh 2:5 and the gate was about to be shut; but also וַיְהִי לִדְרשׁ אֱלֹהִים 2Chr 26:5 (nearly = וַיְהִי + Participle) Niph`al Perfect נִהְיָה 1Kgs 1:27 + 6 t. + Mic 2:4 (compare below near the end); 3 feminine singular נִהָיְתָה Judg 19:30 + 5 t., נִהְיָ֑תָה Exod 11:6; Jer 48:19 וְנִהְיָ֑תָה consecutive Ezek 39:8 + Ezek 21:12 (strike out B Manuscripts ᵐ5 Co); 2 masculine singular נִהְיֵיתָ Deut 27:9 1 singular ךּנהִךְייךתי Dan 8:27 Participle feminine singular נִהְיָה Prov 13:19 —

1. either, be done, be brought about, or occur, come to pass: in the strong expressions וְכָמֹהוּ לֹא תֹסִף אֲשֶׁר כָּמֹהוּ ׳לֹא נ Exod 11:6 (J) a cry such as hath not occurred (been raised), and will not be again, compare Deut 4:32 (be done; || נִשְׁמַע), & Judg 19:30 (|| נִרְאֲתָה); — but simply intransitive Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & apparently Ezek 21:12 (|| בָּאָ֫ה; on text, however, see above) Ezek 39:8 (|| id.); — also אֵיכָה נִהְיְתָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת Judg 20:3 how hath this wickedness been done ? compare vJudg 20:12; Jer 5:30; Jer 48:19 also Neh 6:8 with לֹא, existence denied ׳לֹא נ Zech 8:10 (|| אֵינֶ֑נָּה); in all the above (except Joel 2:2; Dan 12:1 & Ezek 21:12; Ezek 39:8) personal agency is clearly implied; it is expressed ׳מֵאֵת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶץ נ הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה 1Kgs 1:27, so of divine agency (מֵאִתִּי) 1 K i1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4 further be attained, secured, of wages Zech 8:10 (with לֹא, || אֵינֶ֑נָּה); תַּאֲוָּה נִהְיָה Prov 13:19 a desire come to pass, realized.

2. be done, finished, gone, only Daniel וּשְׁנָתוֺ נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו Dan 2:1 and his sleep was finished upon him, i.e. left him (compare Aramaic Dan 6:19); נִהְיֵיתִי Dan 8:27 I came to an end, was exhausted (si vera lectio, strike out ᵐ5; || נֶחֱלֵיתִי); נִהְיָה, in וְנָהָה נְהִי נִהְיָה Mic 2:4, is dubious; it is done, over, the ruin is come Rob-Ges Ew Hi Ca Che L RVm;? < omit as dittograph Sta^{ZAW 1886, 122 f.} compare JBL^{1890, 74.77}.

BDB9470 H1934 H1961

הֲוָא, הֲוָּה₇₁ verb come to pass, become, be (Biblical Hebrew הָיָה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular הֲוָה Dan 4:26 +, הֲוָא Dan 5:19 +; 2 masculine singular הֲוַיְתָ Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34, 1 singular הֲוֵית Dan 4:1 +; 3 masculine plural הֲווֺ Dan 2:35 +; Imperfect 3 masculine singular לֶהֱוֵא (K^{§ 47, l}) b) Dr^{§ 204 Obs.} Nö^{M 215 ff.}; in Jewish-Aramaic as jussive D^{§ 61, lc}) Dan 2:20 +; 3 feminine singular תֶּהֱוֵה Dan 4:24 +, אֵ֯ Ezra 6:8 +, 3 masculine plural לֶהֱוֺן Ezra 6:10 + 6 t., 3 feminine plural לֶהֶוְיָן Dan 5:17 Imperative masculine plural הֱווֺ Ezra 4:22, הֲזוֺ Ezra 6:6 —

1. come to pass Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45.

2. come into being, arise Ezra 7:23 become, come to be, with predicate noun Dan 4:24; Dan 5:29 and ( = represent) Dan 7:23 with כְּ like Dan 2:35 a, with ל predicate vDan 2:35 b, with adjective predicate Ezra 6:6, with adverb phrase Ezra 5:5; Dan 4:22 often periphrastic, with participle: ׳יְדִיעַ לה let become known Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8 let it be given Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:9, also Ezra 7:26; Dan 2:20.

3. be, as copula, with adjective predication Dan 2:40; Dan 2:42; Dan 7:19 so very often in periphrastic conjugation with participle, צָבֵא ׳ה wish Dan 5:19 (4 t. in verse), ׳חָזֵה ה behold Dan 2:31; Dan 2:34; Dan 7:2; Dan 7:4; Dan 7:6 +, etc.

Strong's Definition H1961

be, pass, was, were, came, …

hāyâ

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

(Qal)

to occur

to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

to arise, appear, come

to become

to exist, be in existence

to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

Variations 205 forms of this word

Translations 723 English renderings

Word Parts

ל ֖וֹ

ל

Preposition to, for

֖וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp3ms

Preposition

ל	Speech Preposition
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

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Word Parts

סֹכֶ֑נֶת

Root word profitable, profiteth, treasurer, unprofitable, wont, …

Dictionary form: סָכַן · saw-KAHN

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqrfsa

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, feminine singular, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

סֹכֶנֶת

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Participle Active Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and let her cherish

acquaint ×1 advantage ×1 and art acquainted ×1 and cherished ×1 and let her cherish ×1 be profitable ×1 it profiteth ×1 may be profitable ×1

More options

benefit — Broad, neutral; best for general profit/advantage contexts.

be useful — Functional register; suits contexts of practical service or purpose.

be acquainted with — Relational nuance; prefer for familiarity or knowing someone.

be of value — Slight emphasis on worth; good for rhetorical or wisdom texts.

care for — Fits nurturing or cherishing contexts, e.g. tending to someone.

be of service — Formal register; suits official or courtly roles like treasurer.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5590 H5532

I. [סָכַן] verb be of use of service, benefit (Tel Amarna sakânu, care for (with preposition ana) Zim^{ZA vi. 248} Wkl^{TA Glossary}; Phoenician סכן prefect Lzb³²⁹; compare perhaps Tel Amarna zukini as loan-word Wkl^l.c.); —

Qal Imperfect 3 masculine singular only Job: יִסְכֹּן Eccl 22:2, וֺן- Eccl 15:3, יִסְכָּןֿ Eccl 22:2 + 2 t.; Participle סֹכֵן Isa 22:15 feminine סֹכֶ֫נֶת 1Kgs 1:2; 1Kgs 1:4 —

1. be of use or service, only participle ׳וּתְהִי לוֺ ס 1Kgs 1:2 and let her become servitress to him, so v1Kgs 1:4 (+ וְתְּשָׁרֲתֵהוּ); סֹכֵן Isa 22:15 = servitor, steward.

2. benefit, profit, absolute Job 15:3 with לְ person Job 22:2; Job 35:3, עַלֿ person Job 22:2 with accusative Job 34:9 (or absolute gain benefit, גבר subject). Hiph`il Perfect 1 singular הִסְכַּ֫נְתִּי Num 22:20 2 masculine singular הִסְבַּ֑נְתָּה Ps 139:3 Imperative הַסְכֶּןנָֿא Job 22:21 Infinitive abs. הַסְכֵּן Num 22:30 — be used, wont, strictly exhibit use, or habit, הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי לַעֲשׂוֺת לְךָ כֹּה Num 22:30 (J) have I ever shewn the habit of doing thus to thee? hence shew harmony with (עִם) one Job 22:21, be familiar with, know intimately (subject ׳י) Ps 139:3 (with accusative דְּרָכַי).

Strong's Definition H5532

profitable, profiteth, treasurer, unprofitable, wont, …

sākan

to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, to cherish, be customary

to be of use or service or profit or benefit

(Qal)

to be of use or service

Variations 10 forms of this word

Translations 12 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

וְ שָֽׁכְבָ֣ה

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

שָֽׁכְבָ֣ה

Root word down, lie, slept, lay, lieth, …

Dictionary form: שָׁכַב · shaw-KAHB

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqq3fs

Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
שָׁכְבָה	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person Third Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: him and let her lie

slept ×36 lay ×11 lie ×11 and lay ×10 and laid ×6 and lie ×5 lie down ×5 be he that lieth ×4

More options

lie down — Most natural everyday phrase; fits narrative and command contexts.

sleep — Use when rest or overnight lodging is the focus.

rest — Softer register; suits poetic or death-as-sleep imagery.

go to bed — Colloquial; good for domestic or intimate narrative scenes.

have sex with — Use only when the euphemistic sexual sense is explicit.

be laid — Passive voice; fits contexts of burial or a corpse lying in place.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8655 H7901

שָׁכַב (Lag^{BN 63}) verb lie down (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; שכב Eccl 47:23 (in death), משכב bed Eccl 40:5, = death bed Eccl 46:19 Phoenician שכב, משכב (see ׳מ

1. below), Lzb³⁷⁵; Ethiopic lie, Aramaic שְׁכַב, ; Nabataean משכבא couch; Arabic only pour out (water, tears), be poured out (compare Hiph`il below, and Lag^{BN 63})); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 26:10 +, etc.; Imperfect יִשְׁכַּב Gen 30:15 +, 3 masculine plural יִשְׁכְּבֻן 1Sam 2:22, יִשְׁכָּב֑וּן Josh 2:8; Job 30:17, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁכַב 2Sam 13:5; Ezek 4:4, שִׁכְבָה Gen 39:7; Gen 39:12, etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁכֹב Lev 15:24 construct שְׁכַב 1Kgs 1:21 +, suffix שָׁכְבוֺ Ruth 3:4, שִׁכְבָהּ Gen 19:33; Gen 19:35, שָׁכְבְּךָ Deut 6:7 + 2 t.; Participle שֹׁכֵב Gen 28:13 +, feminine שֹׁכֶ֫בֶת Mic 7:5; Ruth 3:8, etc.; —

1. lie down (sometimes opposed to קוּם, הֵקִיץ):
a. Judg 5:27 (prostrated by blow, + כָּרַע, נָפַל).
b. to sleep, Gen 19:4 (J), Gen 28:11 (E), 1Sam 3:5; Deut 7:7; Prov 6:22 + often; read וַיִּשְׁכַּב also (for וַיַּשְׁכֵּם) 1Sam 9:26 ᵐ5 Th We Dr and modern; ׳שׁ + יָשֵׁן sleep 1Kgs 19:5; Ps 3:6; Ps 4:9, compare Prov 3:24 (twice in verse), + נִרְדָּם Jonah 1:5 = be lying 1Sam 3:2; 1Sam 3:3; 1Sam 26:5 (all בְּ local), v1Sam 26:7; 1Sam 4:5 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb noon-repose), 2Sam 13:8, compare שֹׁכֵב בְּלֶביָֿם Prov 23:34, of two lying (together, for warmth) Eccl 4:11 + be sleeping 1Sam 26:7 = keep lying, with עַד Judg 16:3; 1Sam 3:15; Ruth 3:13; Prov 6:9 emphasis on resting, Lev 26:6 (H), Job 11:18 token of mourning, וְשָׁכַב אָ֑רְצָה (וְלָן) 2Sam 12:16, compare 2Sam 13:21, בַּשָּׂק ׳שׁ 1Kgs 21:27, בֵּין שְׁפַתָּ֑יִם ׳שׁ Ps 68:14 (of indolence?); figurative of prostration by disease Ps 41:9 among foes Ps 57:5 of humiliation Jer 3:25 with עַל of thing: land Gen 28:13 (J), usually bed 2Sam 13:5; 1Kgs 21:4; Lev 15:4; Lev 15:24; Lev 15:26, compare vLev 15:20, for midday repose 2Sam 4:7.
c. lie on (עַל) one's side Ezek 4:4 (twice in verse); Ezek 4:6; Ezek 4:9 (symbolic).
d. lie, עַל person 1Kgs 3:19 (fatally), 2Kgs 4:34 (to revive).
e. lie בְּחֵיק, of lamb (i.e. be cherished) 2Sam 12:3, of woman Mic 7:5 (intimacy), 1Kgs 1:2 (vital warmth); lie down for copulation Gen 19:33; Gen 19:35 (of woman, see

3. below; both opposed to קוּם).

2. = lodge (for night), (שָׁ֫מָּהׅ ׳שׁ Josh 2:1 (E), 2Kgs 4:11, compare 2Kgs 9:16 (yet perhaps = lie ill), Lev 14:47 (בְּ local).

3. of sexual relations, lie with: subject man, with עִם Gen 30:15; Gen 30:16; Gen 39:7; Gen 39:12; Gen 39:14 (J), Exod 22:13 (E), Deut 22:22 + 8 t. Deuteronomy; 2Sam 11:4; 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 12:11; 2Sam 12:24; Lev 15:33 with אֶת feminine with (ᵑ0 אֹתָהּ, etc., originally אִתָּהּ, etc., see Dr^{2Sam 13:14 and II.} אֵת, p. 85:a above), Gen 26:10; Gen 34:2; Gen 34:7; Gen 35:22 (all J), 1Sam 2:22 (omitted by ᵐ5 and modern), 2Sam 13:14; Ezek 23:8 (figurative), Lev 15:24 (שָׁכֹב יִשְׁכַּב), Num 5:19, also (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb שִׁכְבַתזֶֿרַע) vNum 5:13; Lev 15:18; Lev 19:20 with accusative (suffix) feminine Deut 28:30 Kt (see [ שָׁגֵל]); with אֵצֶל feminine Gen 39:10 (J); with אֵת of a man (sodomy), Lev 18:22; Lev 20:13 (both H; with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מִשְׁכְּבֵי אִשָּׁה); with עִםבְּֿהֵמָה Deut 27:21; Lev 22:18 (H); subject woman, with עִם of a man Gen 19:32; Gen 19:34; Gen 19:35 (J) 2Sam 13:11 אֵת of a man Gen 19:33; Gen 19:34 (compare 1 e above).

4. a. lie down in death, Isa 14:8; Isa 43:17 (opposed to קוּם), Ezek 31:18; Ezek 32:27; Ezek 32:28; Ezek 32:29; Ezek 32:30; Job 14:12 (opposed to קוּם, הֵקִיץ), וְאֶשְׁקוֺט ׳שׁ Job 3:12 be lying (dead) Isa 51:20; Lam 2:21.
b. especially in phrase עִם אֲבוֺתָיו ׳שׁ lie down with his fathers, of kings 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10 + 35 t. Kings Chronicles, compare Gen 47:30 (J) Deut 31:16, and (with אֵת) 2Sam 7:12
c. in grave, בְּבֵיתוֺ Isa 14:18 (opposed to מִקִּבְרְךָ), שֹׁכְבֵי קֶבֶר Ps 88:6 לֶעָפָר Job 7:21, ׳עַלעֿ Job 20:11; Job 21:26 in sh®°ôl Ezek 32:21 in Gehenna (?) Isa 50:11.

5. figurative = relax: Job 30:17 my gnawing pains do not sleep; = have rest, לִבּוֺ ׳לֹא שׁ Eccl 2:23. Niph`al Pu`al = be lain with (sexually; subject woman), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph`al Pu`al q. v. Hiph`il lay, Perfect 3 feminine singular הִשְׁכִּיבָה with accusative puer. + בְּחֵיק 1Kgs 3:20, so Imperfect 3 feminine singular suffix וַתַּשְׁכִּיבֵהוּ v1Kgs 3:20, compare (עַלמִֿטָּה) 1Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 4:21 Infinitive absolute הַשְׁכֵּב אוֺתָם אַ֫רְצָה 2Sam 8:2 making them lie down on ground; Imperfect also lay בַּמִּשְׁכָּב 2Chr 16:14 (of burial); נִבְלֵי שָׁמַיִם מִי יַשְׁכִּיב Job 38:37 i.e. tip them so that contents may flow out (compare Arabic above). Hoph`al Participle מֻשְׁכָּב 2Kgs 4:32 laid עַלמִֿטָּה; Perfect consecutive וְהֻשְׁכַּב Ezek 32:32 shall be laid (in death), with בְּתוֺךְ and אֵת person (with); so Imperative masculine singular הָשְׁכְּבָה vEzek 32:19 (with אֵת person only).

BDB8674 H7925 H7901

[שָׁכַם] verb Hiph`il denominative start, rise, early (properly load backs of beasts for day's journey); — Perfect 3 masculine singular consecutive וְהִשְׁכִּים 2Sam 15:2; Job 1:5, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיַּשְׁכֵּם Gen 19:27 +, 2 masculine singular תְּשְׁכִּים Judg 9:33, etc.; Imperative הַשְׁכֵּם Exod 8:16 +; Infinitive absolute הַשְׁכֵּם Jer 7:25 +, כֵּים- Jer 44:4; Prov 27:14, erroneous אַשְׁכֵּים Jer 25:3 (Ges^{«GKC:53»§ 53} K); Participle מַשְׁכִּים Hos 6:4 +, etc., — rise early, make an early start, of journey (Hexateuch only J E); לְדַרְכְּכֶם Judg 19:9 (+ מָחָר), compare Song 7:13 + verb of going Gen 19:2 (J), standing 2Sam 15:2 (compare Dr), encamping Judg 7:1, etc.; + infinitive 1Sam 15:12 (compare Dr), 1Sam 29:11; 2Kgs 6:15 (לָקוּם), מַשְׁכִּימֵי קוּם Ps 127:3 (opposed to מְאַחֲרֵי שֶׁבֶת); usually with בַּבֹּקֶר Gen 19:27 (J; אֶלהַֿמָּקוֺם), 1Sam 29:10 (twice in verse) + 27 t., + (hyperbole) שֵׁכָר ׳מַשְׁכִּימֵי בַבּ יִרְדֹּ֑פוּ Isa 5:11 (|| מְאַחֲרֵי בֵנֶּשֶׁף); with מִמָּחֳרָת Exod 32:6 (E), Judg 6:28 + 3 t.; with בַּעֲלוֺת הַשַּׁחַר Josh 6:15 (J), 1Sam 19:26 וַיְמַהֲרוּ וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ וַיֵּצְאוּ Josh 8:14 (J) they made a quick and early start; and went out; Infinitive absolute (Ges^{«GKC:113s»§ 113s}) as adverb וְהַעֲרֵב ׳הַשׁ 1Sam 17:16 at early morning and at evening; especially of ׳י, in Jeremiah: ׳הַשׁ וְדַבֵּר = speaking early and often Jer 7:13; Jer 35:14 and (of Jeremiah) Jer 25:3, compare Jer 11:7; Jer 32:33 often וְשָׁלוֺחַ ׳הַשׁ = sending early and often Jer 7:25; Jer 24:4; Jer 26:5; Jer 29:19; Jer 35:14; Jer 44:4, also 2Chr 36:15 so verb finite הִשְׁכִּימוּ הִשְׁחִיתוּ, Zeph 3:7 = with eagerness they corrupted (Ges^{«GKC:120g»§ 120g}); participle הֹלֵךְ ׳כַּטַּל מַשְׁ Hos 6:4 like the dew departing early, Hos 13:3 (Ges^ib.). — 1Sam 9:26 read וַיִּשְׁכַּב, see שׁכב

BDB9948 H4904 H7901

שׁכב (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew שָׁכַב, מִשְׁכָּב).

Strong's Definition H7901

down, lie, slept, lay, lieth, …

šākab

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

to lie down

(Qal)

to lie, lie down, lie on

Variations 76 forms of this word

Translations 102 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

בְ חֵיקֶ ֔ךָ

בְ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

חֵיקֶ

Root word bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within

֔ךָ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: חֵיק · hake

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsc/Sp2ms

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

בְ	Speech Preposition
חֵיקֶ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
ךָ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: in thy bosom

into thy bosom ×3 their bosom ×3 in his bosom ×2 in my bosom ×2 in the bosom ×2 in thy bosom ×2 it in her bosom ×2 of his bosom ×2

More options

chest — Neutral, anatomical; best for physical embrace or carrying.

bosom — Modernized KJV form; still natural in poetic or intimate contexts.

lap — Prefer when someone or something rests on seated person.

embrace — Good for relational warmth or holding close metaphorically.

fold — Idiomatic for cloth fold or garment recess concealing objects.

heart — Figurative; use only for innermost affection or intimacy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2635 H2436

[חוק] noun [masculine] bosom, Ps 74:11 Kt חוקך (but read Qr חֵיקְךָ, see following).

BDB2636 H2436

חֵיק, חֵק noun [masculine] bosom (Late Hebrew id.) — absolute חֵיק Ezek 43:17; Prov 16:33 + Ezek 43:13 (Co חיקו, compare ZKW^{1883, pp. 67ff.}; חֵיקֹה Dr^{Sm xxxi}), חֵק Prov 21:14 construct חֵיק 1Kgs 22:35 + 3 t. + Ezek 43:14 (Co חיקו) חֵק Prov 5:20 (omitted by accident in Baer, compare Str^{on the passage}) Prov 17:23 suffix חֵיקִי 1Kgs 3:20; Ps 89:51 חֵקִי Job 19:27 etc.; elsewhere always plene with suffix; חוקף Kt Ps 74:11 (Qr חֵיקְךָ); — bosom, specifically

1. of fold of garment, at breast Exod 4:6 (twice in verse); Exod 4:7 (3 t. in verse) (all J), Prov 6:27; Prov 16:33, metaphor of ׳י Ps 74:11 ׳שֹׁחַד בח Prov 21:14 is a hidden reward (concealed in bosom; || מַתָּן בַּסֵּתֶר); שֹׁחַד טֵחֵק Prov 17:23 is a gift secretly given; figurative, requite into bosom Isa 65:6; Isa 65:7; Ps 35:13; Ps 79:12; Jer 32:18.

2. carry (נָשָׂא) in bosom, Moses the people Num 11:12 (JE); Naomi, Ruth's child Ruth 4:16, compare 1Kgs 3:20 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 17:19 ewe lamb 2Sam 12:3; Isa 40:11 (metaphor); Lam 2:12 of infants dying in their mothers' arms; figurative of carrying insults in one's bosom Ps 89:51 (read probably כְּלִמַּת for כֹּל, see Bi Che).

3. bosom as part of body:
a. external, lie in bosom, of wife שׁככת Mic 7:5, compare 2Sam 12:8 concubine Gen 16:5 (J) compare 1Kgs 1:2 אֵשֶׁת חיק(ךׅ Deut 13:7; Deut 28:54, compare also Prov 5:20 תְּחַבֵּק חֵק נָכְּרִיָה; אֹישׁ חֵיקָהּ Deut 28:56.
b. internal, anger resteth כסילים ׳בה Eccl 7:9 כָּלוּ כִלְֹיתַי בְּחֵקִי Job 19:27 my reins are consumed within me; Job 23:12 (read בְּחֵקִי for מֵחֻקִּי, so ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ol Me Stu Di) in my breast have I hidden the words of his mouth (compare בְּלִבִּי Ps 119:11); figurative of interior of chariot 1Kgs 22:35 הרכב ׳ח; of hollow bottom of altar Ezek 43:13; Ezek 43:14; Ezek 43:17 (Sm Rinne; Co Grundeinfassung).

Strong's Definition H2436

bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within

ḥêq

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

bosom, hollow, bottom, midst

Variations 27 forms of this word

Translations 26 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

וְ חַ֖ם

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

חַ֖ם

Root word warm, hot, warmeth, heat, enflaming, …

Dictionary form: חָמַם · haw-MAHM

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqq3ms

Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
חַם	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: may get heat

and warmeth ×1 enflaming ×1 he warmeth ×1 i am warm ×1 may get heat ×1 me and if he were not warmed ×1 then they have heat ×1 thereof and warm ×1

More options

warm — Most versatile; suits literal and figurative contexts.

heat — Emphasizes the source or process of warming.

grow hot — Captures the dynamic, resultant state of heating up.

be warmed — Passive sense; good for contexts of receiving warmth.

burn with passion — Fits figurative uses of intense desire or zeal.

kindle — Suits contexts of igniting heat or inflaming emotion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2852 H2534 H2529 H2552

חֵמָה wrath, see below יחם; חֵמָה Job 29:6, see חֶמְאָה; חַמָּה, חַמָּן, חַמּוֺן, חַמַּת see below חמם. below

BDB2862 H2552

[חָמַם] verb be or become warm (Late Hebrew id., Pi`el, make warm, Aramaic , חֲמַם be warm; Arabic become hot, of water; also heat, kindle fire in) —

Qal Perfect חַם Ps 39:4; Exod 16:21 וְחַם consecutive 1Kgs 1:2; Eccl 4:11 חַמּוֺתִ֫י Isa 44:16 Imperfect יָחֹם Isa 44:16 וַיָּ֫חָם 2Kgs 4:34; Isa 44:15 also יִחַם 1Kgs 1:1 יֵחַם Deut 19:6 יֵחָ֑ם Eccl 4:11 3 feminine singular תֵּחַם Ezek 24:11 יֵחַמּוּ Hos 7:7 וַיֶּחֱמוּ Gen 30:39 וַיֵּחַמְנָה vGen 30:38 (last seven forms could be also from יחם q. v.; but no decisive evidence that this √ is used in Qal; they are placed under חמם by Thes Ew^{§ 193 a} Ol^{§ 243 b}; see also Kö^{i. 365, 417 ff.}, who on account of יחם Pi`el Infinitive Gen 30:41; Gen 31:10, derives last two, needlessly, from יחם); Infinitive לַחְמָם Isa 47:14, compare Job 30:4 (where, however, ׳ל is from לֶחֶם Mich Di unless (Luzz Che) we read לְחַמֵּם Pi`el Infinitive in both); חֹם 1Sam 11:9; Hag 1:6; Neh 7:3 suffix חֻמּוֺ Job 6:17 חֻמָּם Jer 51:39 —

1. literally, be or grow warm Exod 16:21 (P; subject שֶׁמֶשׁ), compare 1Sam 11:9; Neh 7:3 and Job 6:17 (suffix of impersonal subject); from fire Isa 44:15; Isa 44:16 (twice in verse); Isa 47:14 (compare above); natural heat 1Kgs 1:1; 1Kgs 1:2 (by personal contact), so 2Kgs 4:34; Eccl 4:11 (twice in verse), from clothing Hag 1:6 of Jerusalem under figure of pot or caldron Ezek 24:11.

2. figurative, subject לִבִּי Ps 39:4 (|| בַהֲגִיגִי תִבְעַראֵֿשׁ), compare Deut 19:6 of conspirators Hos 7:7 Chaldeans Jer 51:39.

3. of heat in conception (animals) Gen 30:38; Gen 30:39 (compare יחם). Niph`al Participle נֵחָמִים באלים Isa 57:5 (Kö^{i. 371}), inflame oneself with, of idolatry. Pi`el Imperfect 3 feminine singular תְּחַמֵּם Job 39:14 keep eggs warm (of ostrich). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְחַמָּם warm oneself Job 31:20 מִגֵּז כְּבָשִׂים by means of fleece of sheep.

Strong's Definition H2552

warm, hot, warmeth, heat, enflaming, …

ḥāmam

to be hot (literally or figuratively)

to be hot, become warm

(Qal)

to be or grow warm

Variations 10 forms of this word

Translations 13 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לַ ֽאדֹנִ ֥י

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for

ֽאדֹנִ

Root word a name — transliterate it ("That my lord")

֥י

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: אָדוֹן · aw-DONE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsc/Sp1cs

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

לַ	Speech Preposition
אדֹנִ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
י	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person First Person Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: that my lord

my lord ×100 his master ×20 my master ×17 of my lord ×15 the lord ×9 let my lord ×6 our lord ×6 thy lord ×6

More options

master — Best for household/servant relationships and ownership contexts.

lord — Modernized KJV form; suits formal or elevated contexts.

owner — Prefer when emphasizing legal possession of property or people.

sir — Polite address; fits direct speech with respectful tone.

ruler — Good when authority over a group or territory is in view.

supervisor — Contemporary workplace register; for employer-employee dynamics.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB125 H113 H136

אָדוֺן noun masculine^{Mal 3:1} lord (Phoenician אדן) — ׳א Ps 12:5 + construct אֲדוֺן Josh 3:11 +; plural אֲדֹנִים Isa 26:13 +; construct אֲדֹנֵי Deut 10:17 +; suffix אֲדֹנֵינוּ 1Sam 25:14 + etc.; (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Masoretic pointing to distinguish divine reference from human. Plural, with few except an intensive plural of rank; word takes suffix as plural in all other person; so doubtless here. Orig. reading probably in all cases אֲדֹנַי (see Dalm^{Der Gottesname Adonaj}; Lag^{BN 188 makes} אֲדֹנָי an Aramaic formative); אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.; in E Gen 31:35; Gen 32:19; Gen 42:10; Exod 21:5 in P Gen 23:6; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:15; Num 36:2 (twice in verse); often Samuel & Kings; in Chronicles only in sources, 1Chr 21:3 (3 t. in verse); 1Chr 21:23 (= 2Sam 24:3; 2Sam 24:22) 2Chr 2:13; 2Chr 2:14 Isaiah & Jeremiah only in historical parts Isa 36:8; Isa 36:9; Isa 36:12; Jer 37:20; Jer 38:9 elsewhere Dan 1:10; Dan 10:16; Dan 10:17; Dan 10:19; Dan 12:8; Zech 1:9; Zech 4:4; Zech 4:5; Zech 4:13; Zech 6:4; Ps 110:1; Judg 4:18; Judg 6:13; Ruth 2:13 בִּי אֲדנָי Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Josh 7:8 (J) Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 is referred to God, but בִּי אֲדנִי Gen 43:20; Gen 44:18; Num 12:11 (J) 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 25:24; 1Kgs 3:17; 1Kgs 3:26 reference to human superiors. There is uncertainty as to אֲדֹנָ֯י Gen 18:3; Gen 19:18 אֲדֹ֯נַי Gen 19:2) —

1. singular lord, master (1) reference to men:
(a) superintendent of household, or of affairs Gen 45:8; Gen 45:9 (E) = Ps 105:21
(b) master Ps 12:5
(c) king Jer 22:18; Jer 34:5 (2) reference to God, הָאָדוֺן יהוה the Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Exod 23:17; Exod 34:23 (Cov't codes); אֲרוֺן כָּלהָֿאָרֶץ Lord of the whole earth Josh 3:11; Josh 3:13 (J) Ps 97:5; Zech 4:14; Zech 6:5; Mic 4:13 צֻבָאוֺת ׳י ׳הָא, earlier Isa 1:24; Isa 3:1; Isa 10:33; Isa 19:4 (אֲדֹנָי Isa 10:16 in common MT; not Massora, doubtless scribal error); ׳הָא Mal 3:1 אָדוֺן Ps 114:7.

2. plural lords, kings Deut 10:17 = Ps 136:3; Isa 26:13 elsewhere intensive plural of rank, lord, master, (1) reference to men:
(a) proprietor of hill Samaria 1Kgs 16:24
(b) master Gen 40:7 (E) Exod 21:4 (twice in verse); Exod 21:6; Exod 21:8; Exod 21:32 (Cov't code) Gen 24:9 + (J, 11 t.) Deut 23:16; Judg 19:11; Judg 19:12 + 13 t. Samuel & Kings; Job 3:19; Ps 123:2; Prov 25:13; Prov 27:18; Prov 30:10; Isa 24:2; Amos 4:1; Zeph 1:9; Mal 1:6 (twice in verse);
(c) husband Judg 19:26; Judg 19:27; Ps 45:12
(d) prophet 2Kgs 2:3; 2Kgs 2:5; 2Kgs 2:16
(e) governor Neh 3:5
(f) prince Gen 42:10; Gen 42:30; Gen 42:33 (E) Gen 44:8 (J) 1Sam 29:10
(g) king Gen 40:1 (E) Judg 3:25 + 40 t. Samuel & Kings; Chronicles only in sources 1Chr 12:19 compare 1Sam 29:4; 2Chr 13:6; 2Chr 18:16 = 1Kgs 22:17; Isa 19:4; Isa 22:18; Isa 36:12; Isa 37:4; Isa 37:6; Jer 27:4 (2) reference to God Mal 1:6 אֲדֹנֵי הָאֲדֹנִים Lord of lords Deut 10:17 = Ps 136:3 אֲדֹנֵינוּ Ps 135:5; Ps 147:5; Neh 8:10 אֲדֹנֵינוּ ׳י Ps 8:2; Ps 8:10; Neh 10:30 ׳אֲדֹנַיִח י Isa 51:22 (probably = thy husband, Yahweh); אֲדֹנָיו Hos 12:15 (possibly error for אֲדֹנָי).

3. suffix 1 singular (אֲדֹנַי) אֲדֹנִי (1) reference to men: my lord, my master, (a) master Exod 21:5 (Cov't code) Gen 24:12 +, Gen 44:5 (J, 20 t.) 1Sam 30:13; 1Sam 30:15; 2Kgs 5:3; 2Kgs 5:20; 2Kgs 5:22; 2Kgs 6:15
(b) husband Gen 18:12 (J);
(c) prophet 1Kgs 18:7; 1Kgs 18:13; 2Kgs 2:19; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:28; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 8:5
(d) prince Gen 42:10 (E), Gen 23:6; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:15 (P), Gen 43:20; Gen 44:18 +, Gen 47:18, + (J, 12 t.); Judg 4:18
(e) king 1Sam 22:12 + (Samuel & Kings 75 t.);
(f) father Gen 31:35 (E);
(g) Moses Exod 32:22; Num 11:28; Num 12:11; Num 32:26; Num 32:27 (J); Num 36:2 (twice in verse) (P);
(h) priest 1Sam 1:15; 1Sam 1:26 (twice in verse);
(i) theophanic angel Josh 5:14; Judg 6:13
(j) captain 2Sam 11:11
(k) general recognition of superiority Gen 24:18; Gen 32:5 + Gen 33:8 +; Gen 44:7 + (J, 13 t.), Ruth 2:13; 1Sam 25:24 + (15 t.); (2) reference to God: אֲדֹנָי
a. my Lord Gen 20:4 (? E) Exod 15:17 (Samaritan יהוה) elsewhere in Hexateuch, J; Gen 18:3(?); Gen 18:27; Gen 18:30; Gen 18:31; Gen 18:32; Gen 19:2; Gen 19:18(?) Exod 4:10; Exod 4:13; Exod 5:22; Exod 34:9; Num 14:17; Josh 7:8 also Judg 6:15; Judg 13:8 not Samuel; 1Kgs 22:6; 2Kgs 19:23 not Chron. except memorials Ezra 10:3 (reference to Ezra) Neh 1:11; Neh 4:8 Wisdom Literature only Job 28:28 (doubtless scribal error for יהוֺה of many MSS.); not Hosea; Isa 37:24; Isa 38:14; Isa 38:16 (historical part); exile Isa 49:14 (compare Isa 51:22); Mic 1:2; Ps 16:2 + (47 t., chiefly this sense, except below
b.; compare אֱלֹהַי וַאדֹנָי my Lord and my God Ps 35:23 (writers that use אֱלֹהִים seldom use אֲדֹנָי);
b. Adonay proper name of God, parallel with Yahweh, substitution for it often by scribal error, & eventually supplanting it. In earlier Isa 3:17 + (19 t. seeming to belong here), Amos 7:7; Amos 7:8; Amos 9:1; Ezek 18:25; Ezek 18:29; Ezek 33:17; Ezek 33:20; Ezek 21:14 (probably ׳אֲדֹנָי י as in usual phrase); Zech 9:4; Mal 1:12; Mal 1:14; Lam 1:14 + (14 t.) Ps 2:4; Ps 37:13; Ps 78:65; Ps 90:17 (? יהוה) Ps 110:5 (Dalman puts most of these below
(a); — many cases are doubtful); 1Kgs 3:10; 1Kgs 3:15 (Masoretic אדני for יהוה compare Dalm 2Kgs 7:6 Dalm rightly questions; he reads יהוה). The phrases אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי Ps 38:16; Ps 86:12, Adonay my God; אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים Dan 9:3, אֱלֹהֵינוּ ׳א Dan 9:9; Dan 9:15, הָאֵל ׳א Dan 9:4 favour taking ׳א Dan 1:2; Dan 9:7; Dan 9:8 (יהוה ?) vDan 9:16 vDan 9:17 vDan 9:19 vDan 9:19 vDan 9:19 as the divine name.

4. אֲדֹנָי יהוה
(a) my Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Gen 15:2; Gen 15:8 (JE) Josh 7:7 (J, ᵐ5 omit ׳י) Deut 3:24; Deut 9:26; Judg 6:22; Judg 16:28; 2Sam 7:1 (6 t.) 1Kgs 2:26; 1Kgs 8:53 probably Amos 3:7; Amos 3:8; Amos 7:2; Amos 7:4; Amos 7:5; Amos 9:8; Jer 1:6; Jer 4:10; Jer 14:13; Jer 32:17; Jer 32:25; Ezek 4:14; Ezek 8:1; Ezek 9:6; Ezek 11:13; Ezek 20:49; Ezek 37:3 (׳יָדַע כִּי אֲני א ׳י) Ezek 13:9; Ezek 23:49; Ezek 24:24; Ezek 28:24; Ezek 29:16 inappropriate in mouth of God; strike out אֲדֹנָי (Co) or read אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳י (Dalm); Mic 1:2; Zeph 1:7; Obad 1:1; Zech 9:14; Ps 71:5; Ps 71:16; Ps 73:28
(b) apparently proper name Adonay Yahweh Isa 25:8; Jer 44:26 exile Isa 40:10 + (10 t., but Isa 61:1; Isa 61:11 read יהוה, ᵐ5);
(c) uncertain whether
(a) or
(b) in prophetic formula אָמַר ׳י ׳א Isa 7:7; Isa 28:16; Isa 30:15; Isa 49:22; Isa 51:4; Isa 65:13; Jer 7:20; Amos 1:8; Amos 3:11; Amos 5:3; Amos 7:6; Obad 1:1 Ezekiel (131 t.); ׳י ׳נְאֻם א Isa 56:8; Jer 2:22; Amos 3:13; Amos 4:5; Amos 8:3; Amos 8:9; Amos 8:11 Ezekiel (80 t.); ׳י ׳דְּבַראֿ Ezek 6:3; Ezek 25:3; Ezek 36:4 ׳י ׳נִשְׁבַּע א Amos 4:2; Amos 6:8 ׳י ׳כֹּה הִרְאַנִי א Amos 7:1; Amos 7:4; Amos 8:1.

5. יהוה אֲדֹנָי Yahweh my Lord Ps 68:21; Ps 109:21; Ps 140:8; Ps 141:8; Hab 3:9.

6. אֲדֹנָי יהוה צְבָאוֺת
(a) my Lord Yahweh ‚. (see צבאות) Ps 69:7; Amos 9:5; Isa 10:23; Isa 22:5; Isa 22:12; Isa 28:22 compare ׳אֱלֹהֵי הַצְבָאוֺת א ׳י, Yahweh, the God of Hosts my Lord Amos 5:16
(b) a divine name, Adonay, Yahweh ‚. Jer 46:10 (twice in verse); Jer 50:25
(c) uncertain are ׳צ ׳י ׳כֹּה אָמַר א Isa 10:24; Isa 22:14; Isa 22:15 ׳נְאֻם א ׳צ ׳י Isa 3:15; Jer 2:19; Jer 49:5; Jer 50:31.

Strong's Definition H113

lord, master, masters, lords, owner, …

ʾādôn

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

firm, strong, lord, master

lord, master

reference to men

superintendent of household, of affairs

the Lord God

reference to men

proprietor of hill of Samaria

Lord of lords

reference to men

master

my Lord, my Lord and my God

Variations 53 forms of this word

Translations 108 English renderings

Lord

Search every verse

Word Parts

הַ מֶּֽלֶךְ

הַ

Prefix — article the

מֶּֽלֶךְ

Root word king, kings, royal

Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Td/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

הַ	Speech Particle Type Definite Article
מֶּֽלֶךְ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: the king

the king ×712 king ×501 and the king ×198 the kings ×192 of the kings ×104 of the king ×98 kings ×64 and king ×33

More options

king — Most natural modern equivalent; universally understood.

monarch — Formal register; suits literary or elevated prose.

ruler — Broader term; useful when royal rank is less central.

sovereign — Emphasizes supreme authority; good in legal or theological contexts.

royal — Adjectival use; fits compound nouns like 'royal court'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4669 H4428 H4429

I. מֶ֫לֶךְ₂₅₁₃ noun masculine king (Late Hebrew id.; MI^{1, 5, 10, 18, 23} מלך; Neh 1:4 המלכן; Phoenician מלך; Zinjirli מלך DHM^{Sendsch. 60}; Assyrian maliku, malku, prince (Assyrian šarru = king); Arabic king (original Hebrew *מַלִח inferred, Lag^{BN 73} Ba^{NB § 112} WMM^{As. u. Europ.76}); Sabean מלכן SabDenkm^{No. 1}; construct מלך, plural אמלך CIS^{iv 37}; compare Ethiopic God (and Nö^l.c.); Aramaic , מְלֵיךְ; Palmyrene מלך מלכא Vog^{No. 28}; Nabataean מלכא Eut^{Nab. 1}); — ׳מ absolute Gen 14:7 + (insert also 2Sam 13:17 ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu, and v2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu); in p. always מֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 49:20 + 238 t. (so also proper name in מֶלֶךְ-); construct Gen 14:1 +; suffix מַלְכִּי 2Sam 19:44 + 6 t., etc.; plural מְלָכִים Gen 14:9 +; מְלָכִין Prov 31:3 construct מַלְכֵי Gen 17:16 +; suffix מְלָכֶיהָ Isa 7:16 + 3 t.; מַלְכֵיהֶם Deut 7:24 + 16 t., etc.; —

1. king: of Egypt Gen 39:20f.; Exod 1:8f.; Deut 11:3; 1Kgs 3:1 of Mesopotamia, Shinar, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc. Judg 3:8; Judg 3:10; Gen 14:1f.; 2Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:3f.; 2Kgs 18:13f.; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:11f.; Ezra 1:1f.; Ezra 4:3f.; Esth 1:2 +, 1Kgs 11:18; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 14:25; 2Kgs 17:4f.; 2Kgs 23:29 +; of Canaan, Philistia, Edom, Moab, etc. (often of single city): Gen 14:2f.; vGen 14:18; Gen 20:2; Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8; Gen 36:31; Num 20:14; Num 21:1f.; Num 22:4; Num 22:10; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:1f.; Josh 2:2 (often in Joshua), Judg 1:7; Judg 5:19; Judg 8:5; Judg 8:12; Judg 11:12f.; 2Kgs 3:4f. +; of Aram, Hamath, etc. 2Sam 8:3f. v2Sam 8:9; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 20:1f.; 1Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 5:1f.; 2Kgs 8:7f.; v2Kgs 8:29; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Kgs 9:15; 2Kgs 15:37; 2Kgs 16:5f. +; of Tyre, etc. 2Sam 5:11; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:11; 1Kgs 9:16+, etc.; especially of Israel (undivided, and of both divisions) Gen 36:31; Num 23:21; Num 24:7; Deut 17:14f.; Judg 17:6; Judg 18:1; Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Sam 8:5f.; 2Sam 2:4f.; 1Kgs 1:33; 1Kgs 1:34f. + very often; compare also Judg 9:5. — 2Sam 18:29b strike out ׳הַמּ We Klo Dr Kit Bu. Note that in early books המלך דוד is nearly always said; in late books usually המלך ׳שׁלמה וגו) דוד; compare Aramaic כּוֺרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא, etc.

2. of Davidic king, as under divine protection, 1Sam 2:10 (|| מְשִׁיחוֺ), Ps 2:6; Ps 18:51; Ps 89:19; Ps 61:7, compare Ps 99:4 so in (Messianic) prediction Hos 3:5; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 37:22; Ezek 37:24; Zech 9:9.

3. used of ׳י as king of Israel 1Sam 12:12 in poetry Deut 33:5 compare Ps 5:3; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:5; Ps 48:3; Ps 68:25; Ps 74:12; Ps 84:4; Ps 145:1; Ps 149:2; Isa 41:21; Isa 43:15; Isa 44:6; Zeph 3:15 מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד Ps 24:7; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:9; Ps 24:10 (twice in verse); universal king Ps 47:3; Ps 47:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 98:6; Jer 10:7; Jer 10:10, compare Jer 46:18; Jer 48:15; Jer 51:57; Zech 14:9; Zech 14:16; Zech 14:17; Mal 1:14 of false god Amos 5:26.

4. in fable, king of trees Judg 9:8; Judg 9:15 figurative of crocodile Job 41:26 אֵין לָאַרְבֶּה ׳מ Prov 30:27 of death, מֶלֶךְ בַּלָּהוֺת Job 18:14.

5. combinations are: —
a. הַגָּדוֺל ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:13 (of Assyrian king: compare Assyrian šarru rabu); גָּדוֺל ׳מ Eccl 9:14 (indefinite); of ׳י Mal 1:14, עַלכֿלאֿלהים ׳ג ׳מ Ps 95:3 ׳מ עוֺלָם Jer 10:10 (of ׳י); מְלָכִים ׳מ Ezek 26:7 (king of Babylon)
b. יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 מֶלֶךְ בירושׁלם Eccl 1:1, compare Eccl 15:26; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 1Chr 29:25; 2Sam 2:11 (׳בחברון עלהֿיה מ) 1Kgs 11:37; 2Chr 28:4; Eccl 1:12.
c. following a verb (one or two accusative) על ׳שִׂים מ Deut 17:14; Deut 17:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:19 ׳שִׂים לָנוּ מ 1Sam 8:5 ׳שִׂים לְמ 1Kgs 10:9 לְ ׳נָתַן מ 1Sam 8:6; Hos 13:10; Hos 13:11 נָתַן עַל 1Sam 12:13; 2Chr 2:10; Neh 9:37; Neh 13:26 הִמְלִיךְ לְמֶלֶךְ Judg 9:6; 1Sam 15:11 על ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 12:1 לְ ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 8:22 ׳מָשַׁח מ עַל Judg 9:8 ׳מָשַׁח לְמ 1Kgs 1:45 עַל ׳מָשַׁךְ לְמ Judg 9:15; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 15:17; 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 5:12; 2Sam 12:7; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Chr 11:3; 1Chr 14:8 יִהְיֶה על ׳מ 1Sam 8:19 על ׳בִּקֵּשׁ למ 2Sam 3:17 ׳הֵכִין לְמ על 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 על ׳הֵקִים מ 1Kgs 14:14; Deut 28:36 ׳תַּחַת וגו ׳לְמ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא י 1Chr 29:23, compare Prov 20:8 אלהיך ׳לְי ׳נָתַן עַלכִּֿסֵּא לְמ 2Chr 9:8.
d. מַעֲדַנֵּימֶֿלךְ Gen 49:20 royal dainties, figurative; ׳מִשְׁתֵּה הַמּ 1Sam 25:36 royal feast (in simile); ׳אֶבֶן הַמּ 2Sam 14:26 king's weight; ׳יַדהַֿמּ 1Kgs 10:13 royal bounty (in simile); ׳גִּזֵּי הַמּ Amos 7:1 king's mowings; ׳מִקְדַּשׁ מ Amos 7:13 royal sanctuary; עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם 2Sam 12:30 crown of their king = 1Chr 20:2 (but read מִלְכֹּם ᵐ5 We Klo Dr Kit Kau — not Bu Kit^Chr. Hpt); compare also בַּיִת, עֵמֶק, גַּן, שָׁוֵה, etc. — proper name אבימלך, אחימלך, אלימלך, מלך, נתן, מלך, עבד, see below אב, אח, etc.

BDB4674 H4432 H1322 H4428

מֹ֫לֶךְ proper name, of a divinity Molech (ᵐ5 Μολοχ, ᵑ9 Moloch) (= מֶלֶךְ i.e. (divine) King, with vowels of בּשֶׁת to denote abhorrence, Hoffm^{ZAW iii. 1883, 124} RS^{Semitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372}; compare Hoffm^{GG Abh. xxxvi. 1890 a (May, 1889), 25}; Phoenician proper name, of divinity מלך Milk, in proper names compare Bloch, Dr^{Dt.222 f.}); — with article ׳הַמּ: — the god to whom Israel sacrificed children with fire (in valley of Hinnom); ׳העביר בָּנֵשׁ לַ מּ 2Kgs 23:10 ׳העביר לַמּ Jer 32:35 (|| הַבַּעַל), Lev 18:21 (H); ׳נתן לַמּ Lev 20:2; Lev 20:3; Lev 20:4 (H); more generally ׳לִזְנוֺת אַחֲרֵי הַמּ vLev 20:5 (H). In 1Kgs 11:7 read probably מִלְכֹּם, q. v.

BDB4684 H4442 H6664 H4428

מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Gen 14:18. Ps 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ.

BDB4685 H4443 H4428 H7311

מַלְכִּירָם proper name, masculine son of Jeconiah (= Jehoiakin) (my king (= Yahweh) is high, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 146 f.}; Phoenician proper name מלכרם); — 1Chr 3:18. ᵐ5 Μελχ(ε)ιραμ.

BDB4686 H4428 H4444 H7769

מַלְכִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine son of Saul my king (= ׳י) is opulence, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 147}); — 1Sam 14:49; 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 10:2 (in Chronicles מַלְכִּישֿׁוּעַ). ᵐ5 Μελχεισα, Μελχεσουε, etc.

Strong's Definition H4428

king, kings, royal

melek

a king

king

Variations 82 forms of this word

Translations 267 English renderings

Hammelech Father of Jerahmeel and Malchijah (or 'Malchiah'), officials during Jeremiah's time. Kings King's Highway An ancient trade route through Edom and Moab King's Valley